 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David
Date: 1999-02-14 13:32
I am looking at a Selmer 9 Series U6693. Any idea about age? Value? More than that, how would any of you "check out" a used instrument?
D
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-14 15:04
According to the equipment list that you can access from the menus on this bulleting board, it should be about 1965 or so. You really ought to do some exploring. Mark Charette, the webmaster, has really put together a fine site.
As to how to check it, here are some things to look for:
1. No cracks. If it has been cracked and expertly pinned, that's ok so long as it plays well but you should take that into account on the price.
2. No chipped or broken tenons. Although even these can be repaired.
3. Springs in good condition but they can be replaced fairly cheaply.
4. Pads in good condition, not torn or hard or seriously discolored. Again these can be replaced fairly cheaply.
5. Is it leak tight? Otherwise it will need adjustment.
6. Does it play the way YOU like? Different instruments suit different people. Even if the horn is in perfect condition and you don't like it, then don't buy it.
7. Keys in good mechanical condition (no broken or repaired keys).
8. Although cosmetic appearance is unimportant, it does often indicate how well it was taken care of. However, even a well maitained horn often loses its plating over time or tarnishes so this particularly should not be a drawback.
Basically this was a professional grade instrument. Depending on the condition, it may need a full or partial or no overhaul so bear this in mind in negotiating.
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Author: David
Date: 1999-02-14 16:58
Thankyou,
How does one figure age into the equation? A 1968 horn should be lacking certain "new" technologies... yet, with many things new, the older attention to detail has been replaced by mechanized approaches... for better or worse. Any thoughts?
D
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-14 19:45
Well a clarinet from the 1960s isn't really all that old. Many amateurs play older pro grade horns like this. My own instrument is a 1950s Leblanc pro grade horn. It plays beautifully and sounds beautiful.
Mechanically, there haven't been any significant advances in the clarinet for a very long time (the "modern" Boehm system is over a hundred years old). The modern pitch standard of A=440 was established about 70 years ago. The changes come in shaping of the bore of the instrument, undercutting tone holes etc to establish a good balance between intonation accuracy, tone quality, and so on. However every change has both advantages and disadvantages. If you make the mid-line Bb sound good, the register to register intonation can be off. If you make the overall intonation good, the tone quality may change.
Here is what I use for a guideline on buying used items of ANY type not just instruments.
1. Find out what the going price is. In the case of clarinets, do not use the list price but find out what the major mail order places sell it for. In the case of a discontinued model, look at the comparable current model. In clarinets, there is a big difference in these prices (the mail order outfits are about 40% below standard list price).
2. For a clarinet in good condition, I would be willing to pay half or a little more of the normal mail order price.
3. If it needs work, go down from there. These days a total overhaul can set you back a couple of hundred dollars.
Used R-13s, even of this age, seem to go for about $900. Leblancs and Selmers, even though equally fine horns, aren't as in as great a demand so you ought to be able to get it for less than this.
Once again, I want to stress that you need to try it. If YOU like the sound and the way it plays, that is the most important thing. If you don't, then don't buy no matter how good a deal it is as you won't be happy with it.
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