 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gummyratz
Date: 2019-08-14 20:52
Hello all,
I'm new to this forum. I am a collector of many instruments and player of few. I recently acquired a Selmer Paris Alto Clarinet Mazzeo Model, but I can't find any information about the production of such an instrument. I see in the catalogs a listing for Bb and A models of this instrument, but I don't see an alto listing anywhere. Can anybody shed some light on this instrument for me? Almost seems like it should be in a museum or something. According to my instrument tech, it plays great!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=190UhJ7BiGseVYfZoS1WRuq2vaP4ov-3E
Post Edited (2019-08-14 21:01)
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2019-08-14 21:38
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Some time ago I had a Selmer Paris Alto (not Mazzeo, but normal "Boehm" system), a really beautiful instrument. Serial No. Q 633 from 1955. Some years ago Chris P. wrote here: "If you like it and can justify paying 2300 Euros, then go for it - though do see if you can get the seller to drop the price.
Considering how much a new Selmer alto is (which is astronomical) and that the Series 9 is probably a much nicer instrument, then if it's in excellent condition and plays pretty much how you like, then you should have a good alto that will last a lifetime".
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-08-14 21:42
Selmer made Mazzeo system clarinets in all sizes from Eb to low C bass starting in the 60s. My college had a Selmer Mazzeo low C bass (I can post pictures later) and I once owned a Mazzeo Eb. These instruments are fairly uncommon but do show up from time to time. Ironically, these instruments are generally worth a bit less than their standard Boehm counterparts. I struggled to sell my Eb for a reasonable price (around $200 less than a standard Boehm would sell for).
The one thing that confuses me is why low clarinets would even need a Mazzeo mechanism to begin with. The throat Bb already has its own dedicated tonehole which is activated without any special fingerings. The Mazzeo mechanism just adds needless complexity.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Gummyratz
Date: 2019-08-14 23:07
Thanks, that helps a bit. Just couldn’t find any info on them at all and it seemed odd that the Selmer catalogues from the era of my instrument don’t mention a Mazzeo model for the harmony instruments.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-08-15 01:51
"The one thing that confuses me is why low clarinets would even need a Mazzeo mechanism to begin with. The throat Bb already has its own dedicated tonehole which is activated without any special fingerings. The Mazzeo mechanism just adds needless complexity. "
If a player was brought up using Mazzeo fingerings from the outset and has only played Mazzeo system Bb/A clarinets, then playing a regular Boehm system bass clarinet without the Mazzeo mechanism fitted would be a problem for them. It's not about having the separate throat Bb vent hole - it's about the specific fingerings used between regular Boehm systems and Mazzeo systems.
They must've ditched the Mazzeo system harmony clarinets by the '70s as the Selmer catalogue I have from then only has the Bundy, Signet and Selmer Paris Mazzeo system Bb and A clarinets listed.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Gummyratz
Date: 2019-08-15 02:24
Interestingly, this particular Alto is W79XX serial, meaning it would have been from 1971. But like you said, the catalogue from that era doesn't list a harmony Mazzeo...
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