 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-20 21:36
About two years ago I bought a Selmer Signet clarinet for my "inherited" grandson. (He is my parner's grandson, who was killed in a tower accident three years ago, then one of my sons married his daughter, thus, I inherited him.)
I gave it to him without trying it out and promptly forgot about it until last month, when he sent it to me because it needed repair and they don't know anyone to take it to where they live in the mountains of Western NC.
I just picked it up from the tech and I can't believe the sound of this horn!
I've played other Signets and I've also played other Selmer plastic instruments. Some were awful, some were not, some were O.K., but never one like this one.
Its intonation and response, while not fantastic, are much better than good and it was returned to me in excellent mechanical condition. But what really threw me for a loop was its deep, deep, mellow, dark tone. It left me speechless.
I often play a Selmer 1401, because I get lazy about having to take care of my better wood instruments after playing. I also travel a bit for business, so it's good for me to have a plastic instrument around for those ocassions, as well.
The 1401's sound is pretty crappy as compared with most better instruments, but this Signet was incredible. It didn't sound like me at all and even Daniel, who likes to compete with me, stopped to pay attention and couldn't believe the sound coming out of that horn.
I tried the mouthpiece (a Selmer HS*) with my 1401 and, while it sounded a little better than with the B-40 I usually play it with, it still sounded crappy.
I don't know what to make of it, except that, inadvertently, I must have bought a pretty good horn! I don't often get lucky like that, if it only had been the Lotto!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wjk
Date: 2003-01-20 22:07
I play a Selmer signet 100 with a B45 Lyre mouthpiece. I've had some pad and keywork done, and the playability and tone are excellent. It seems to me the bore is wide; does anyone have the specs?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-01-20 22:29
Peter --
Maybe it's one of those Selmer SigNETures. :+)))
Todd W.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-20 23:22
BTW,
I put the the B-40 mouthpiece from the 1401, on the Signet and it still sounded great!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-21 17:46
The acoustics of the room one plays in can make a big difference.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-21 21:30
Bob,
Both were played side by side, sitting in the same chair and in the same room.
Now, don't get me wrong, it doesn't sound like a professional level instrument, but it does play as well as any good advanced student instrument and sounds better than many I've heard. I can't get over the mellow, deep, dark sound of it!
I've never had any real respect for a plastic clarinet before and, certainly, I wouldn't trade one of my "good" instruments for this Signet, but it is somewhat shocking to find this one plays so well. I would have never believed it without having heard it.
My wife says she is going to keep an eye on me to make sure the kid gets the right horn back!:-) :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-01-22 15:19
Peter,
You give the impression the Signet is a plastic horn. All Signets are wood, right? Mine sure is.r
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-22 15:52
Ralph,
For absolutely certain and without a single shadow of a doubt, this Signet is resonite (plastic.)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
