Klarinet Archive - Posting 000193.txt from 2005/09

From: Joseph Wakeling <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Opinions about Selmer Signatures
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 16:20:17 -0400

Martin van de Ven wrote:

> I am looking for opinions on the Selmer Signatures. They seems to have
> more presence and volume than the Buffet R13. The one's I've been
> trying have some tuning problems, I hear the Recitals are better for
> tuning but I don't find the sound as interesting.

Well, Signatures are top-of-the-line instruments from an excellent
manufacturer and there are plenty of marvellous players who get
wonderful results with them. I would have thought intonation problems
are probably down to one of the following things: (i) the tuning
compromises used in the Selmers are different from the Buffet
instruments you're used to so you need to get used to the different
instrument; (ii) your current setup is screwing the tuning; or (iii) the
instrument has come direct from the factory and not been set up properly
by a competent repair person (this can make a big difference to the
apparent quality of an instrument).

In any case with a new instrument it's a good idea once you're used to
it to go systematically through all the intonation deficiencies and take
it to a good repair person to iron out all the little problems.

> Anyone using them?

Not personally; I tried them and couldn't get a nice sound out of them,
but that was me and my setup; they just weren't the right instruments
for *me*.

> Has anyone tried to bring them more in tune?

I didn't notice them being bad intonation-wise but I'm sure others with
more experience can comment. As I said I suspect it's just the
intonation compromises picked by Selmer are different from those picked
by Buffet and it's just a case of getting used to the different
adjustments you have to make.

> Anyone know of a maker who makes custom barrels for them?

I'm fairly sure Walter Grabner and Clark Fobes can help you out, or
Morrie Backun of course.

-- Joe

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