Klarinet Archive - Posting 000382.txt from 2002/05

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Metal clarinets
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 09:30:18 -0400

Dan Leeson wrote,
>>Like wooden clarinets there are good ones and bad ones.
>>I have found that the good metal ones play just as well as
>>the good wooden ones.

I agree. Some of the cheap, no-name models I see at flea markets have
ill-fitting keywork, sloppy finish (looking inside with a pen-light, I've
seen big blobs of metal left at the inside edges of tone holes) and
manufacturing defects that indicate overall lack of quality control.
However, my H. Bettoney Silva-Bet from the 1920s is a good instrument, IMHO.
I've never played a Haynes sterling silver clarinet, but those are highly
regarded by collectors, for their playing qualities as well as their
beautiful workmanship.

Even my Selmer Barbier (silver plating over nickel silver, 17 keys, 6 rings),
which sold for $85 as the bottom of Selmer's student line in the 1931 Selmer
catalogue, seems at least as good as decent-quality modern plastic student
models. That same Selmer 1931 catalogue asks $195 for the professional metal
Master Model in silver plate, but only $170 for the top professional model in
wood (both 20 keys, 7 rings, full Boehm). For an extra $75, you could get
mirror-finished gold plating on the metal model. The advertising copy on p.
26 reads,

"For those who prefer the metal clarinet, Henri Selmer has produced a
remarkable instrument. The bore and tuning proportions are identical to the
Selmer wood clarinet.

"The body is of strong nickel silver--the keys are if the famous Selmer
lifetime Power-Hammered metal. All are heavily silver plated and burnished.

"The Selmer Master clarinet embodies the fine qualities of the Selmer wood
clarinet and possesses the unquestioned advantage of immunity to checking or
cracking.

"The Selmer micrometer adjustable-to-a-vibration tuning barrel is an integral
part of Selmer Master clarinets of metal.

"Selmer precision of tuning--Selmer tone--Selmer action."

By the 1935 catalogue, however, possibly as a result of the worsening
Depression, Selmer had stopped promoting the metal clarinets as top
professional quality and had discontinued the metal Master Model. The only
metal clarinets in that catalogue are the Barbier (still $85) and a cheaper
student model, the Raymond ($60).

Recently, I tried out some pro-quality metal clarinets owned by a local
collector who does skilled repair work. His beautifully restored collection
convinces me that there's no inherent disadvantage to metal. There's not
even a cosmetic disadvantage (as there is with plastic, IMHO), because a
well-made metal clarinet looks as classy as a well-made saxophone. Some of
his double-walled clarinets feel comfortable in my hands, unlike the typical
skinny-bodied models such as my Silva-Bet. The Silva-Bet tends to roll to my
right on my thumb, because the keys are heavier on that side. I don't play
the Silva-Bet regularly because of the distraction of that strange balance,
but the tone and intonation suit me fine.

Lelia

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