Klarinet Archive - Posting 000654.txt from 2004/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] A penny for your clarinet (straight bore)
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 06:13:46 -0500

At 11:02 PM 1/20/2004 -0800, Ormondtoby Montoya wrote:
>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withdrawn when it stalled at $25, I have been watching 1400's on eBay.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bid on the $25 instrument if it hadn't been withdrawn --- does anyone on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.

The bore of the Selmer 1400 is based on the Selmer Balanced Tone: .590
cylindrical bore with straight tone holes. Of course, it does flare out at
the bottom of the lower joint, just like any other clarinet, but remains
relatively constant until that point. It sounds like any other large-bore
clarinet, really, with a big, round tone.

Bill Hausmann

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

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