Klarinet Archive - Posting 000199.txt from 2003/02

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Selmer Balanced Tone (was 2.8.2003)
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 08:36:02 -0500

At 07:55 AM 2/8/2003 -0500, David Sermersheim wrote:
>Can anyone give me information on a clarinet I own (and play)?
>
>It's a Selmer BT. It has an articulated G# and a ring on the l.h. third
>hole. I can't find a serial number on it. I bought it used in the mid-50's
>for less than 100.00! Can't find a deal like that anymore.
>
>I'm playing it with a VanDoren B46 mouthpiece, using VanDoren #2 1/2 reeds
>which are inconsistent in strength.
>
>If you have any other suggestions or recommendation about a mouthpiece to
>use with this instrument, please send them along. I like the response I am
>getting in all of the registers.

I picked up a BT similar to yours a little while back. Its serial number
dates it to 1946, fairly late in the series. Coincidentally, I have found
the Vandoren B46 is a PERFECT match for it! It tends to have a very sharp
altissimo register without the Vandoren's flatness to cancel it
out. Vandoren reeds are deliberately inconsistent -- a box of 2 1/2s by
design has a range from about 2.1 to 2.9 in it, so even if you REALLY like,
say, a 2.7, a couple of reeds will be PERFECT for you, and some others will
be close enough to adjust to your liking. For more consistency, try
Mitchell Lurie 3s.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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