Klarinet Archive - Posting 000326.txt from 1999/01

From: mark weinstein <cpaok@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Selmer Signature--Report
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 16:40:13 -0500

first, bear in mind i am a "rank amateur" when it comes to Clarinet.

I recently had the opportunity to try out a (new] Selmer Signature, as well.
It was at my local retailer, Brook Mayes, in Norman, OK.

the Signature had a <very> nice sound. this particular clarinet was not
resistive at all. I even made it a point to ask if THIS one had been "worked
on since the factory" and was told NO.
there are probably plenty of reasons for the difference in my experience ...
BTW, i was "trying out" with a B-45 mp & Van Doren #3 reed.

I have an R-13 and it is MORE resistive than the Selmer Signature. my R-13
is straight from the factory <<although my R-13 is a pretty "easy blow" at
that>>.

I AGREE that the workmanship was BEAUTIFUL on the SELMER SIGNATURE.

Raised tone holes scare me. if you accidently drop and bend a key it is one
thing. <shame on me> BUT, i would be afraid of damaging the raised tone hole
.... and i don't know how it could be fixed. i know, you ain't supposed to
damage it. its tough going through life as a klutz. <grin>

I was told that List Price for the Selmer Signature was approx. $4,300. ....
I inquired about actual selling price and was told ... "AROUND $3,300 ....
give or take". << i sure hope it would be less, and that would be my
impression >> BTW: the mail order companies have done a wonderful job of
bringing "reality pricing" to local music stores, i think. competition is
always the best thing for the consumer.

... anyways, the more i think about it, the more i LOVE my R-13 !!!

happy new year to everybody and thanks to all, including MARK CHARETTE, who
work to make it what it is ... WORLD CLASS!

mark weinstein

>Workmanship (workpeopleship?) in general was superb, but for the thumb
>rest (see below). The tone holes are raised chimneys, like the Buffet
>Elite; looked expensive to produce.
>-The Selmer was *considerably* more resistant than the Buffet. Not having
>a micrometer handy, I was not able to see what quirks in the bore caused
>this. In order to get through the rehearsal, however, I had to switch to a
>softer reed. The softer reed worked fine--the tone was nice--the same reed
>used on the Buffet was too bright.
>All in all, a pretty great horn. If I was in the market today for a
>super-premium horn, I would want to compare it side-by-side with the Buffet
>Prestige or Festival (both of which I prefer over the Opus). List price is
>about $4,200; at least that's what the tag said.
>kjf
****************************************
Mark Weinstein
Mark Weinstein, CPA, Inc.
6422-B North Santa Fe
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Office: 405.848.4441
Fax: 405.848.4463
Email: cpaok@-----.net
****************************************

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