Klarinet Archive - Posting 000651.txt from 2004/01

From: ormondtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: [kl] A penny for your clarinet (straight bore)
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 02:05:07 -0500

After the eBay auction for a Selmer 1400 opened at $.01 and was
withdrawn when it stalled at $25, I have been watching 1400's on eBay.
The most recent example had a opening bid of $83, and the auction ended
without a single bid being made. There are 5 or 6 of them at auction
right now, and none of them have received a single bid either.

I've been trying to imagine an explanation, All of these instruments
seem (to me) to be in decent condition, but I notice that Selmer
describes the 1400 bore as "straight and untapered." Perhaps this is
the explanation? It's been drummed into most people's brains that some
taper or 'choke' is a good thing.

But more interesting (to me) --- and this is the reason I was going to
bid on the $25 instrument if it hadn't been withdrawn --- does anyone on
this list have a Selmer 1400 and a caliper, and therefore they can
measure the bore at the bell and barrel ends? Are the two joints a
constant .590 along their entire length? I had thought that all
instruments by the majors (Yamaha, Selmer, Leblanc, Buffet), plastic or
otherwise, expand as they approach the bell?

If the 1400 doesn't expand, then I'm going to make an extra effort to
hear what it sounds like --- if I can find one somewhere --- just to
satisfy my curiosity.

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