Klarinet Archive - Posting 001504.txt from 1998/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [klarinet] Selmer Clarinet Question
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 06:10:39 -0400

At 04:49 PM 4/26/98 -0700, Dick Damon wrote:
>Bill Hausmann wrote:
>
>> >2. How rare is it to have a Selmer Paris clarinet from 1931 (Serial
>> >L1xxx) that is in near perfect playing condition?
>> >
>> I don't know, but it is definitely cool! I would assume that instruments
>> of that vintage would be large-bore models, relative to today's.
>
> I have a matched set of Bb and A Selmer clarinets that are stamped
>"*BT*" (Balanced Tone?). The Bb is serial number L7557; the A is L7337
>and I purchased them new in 1938. They were played by me until 1940 and
>by my son for a couple of years while he was in high school. Just last
>year I repadded and recorked them and they play just as they did 57
>years ago. I believe Selmer lists them as being made in 1937. It may be
>of interest by some that I vividly remember the cost; $156.00 a piece.
> I just measured the bore of the Bb upper section. It is 0.598" at the
>top and necks down to 0.575" at the bottom. How does that compare with
>today's models?
>
I'm not sure where the measurement is taken (top of lower joint?). I
thought the Balanced Tone was .590. The current Selmer 1400 is that size,
but the more popular Selmer 1401 is .577, as is the Selmer 100 (Signet).
Other Selmer student and pro instruments run smaller, in the .563 to .567
range, I think. Leblanc Opus, Concerto, and Infinite are .575, the Sonata
.577, but the Pete Fountain model is .590. Noblets and Normandys are .584.
Amatis are .574. Yamahas run .579 for student and intermediate, .577 for
pro. In general, .590 is at the upper end of the scale, and at least Pete
Fountain finds that size suitable for jazz. Hope this helps.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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