 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Charles
Date: 2000-01-20 16:31
I just got brand new Selmer Omega clarinet. It is really beautiful horn. But I have no idea about this model.
What grade of instrument is this? Why couldn't I find any information from Selmer Web Site,catalog...?
Please help.
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Author: Albert
Date: 2000-01-21 03:40
Hi Charles. Did you try out other horns or did you buy the Omega on the spot? Why did you buy it if you don't know anything about it? The Omega is really beautiful, and I think it is a pro model. Selmer doesn't often appear in catalogs except in the WW&BW, though I forgot why. I think the Omega is a like the Buffet Festival, because it's one of those instruments that are in 'hush' and never appear in catalogs. I hope this helps!
:)
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Author: Charles
Date: 2000-01-21 15:53
Thanks Albert.
I bought it from pawn shop. It is brand new, never played, less than 2 years old(?).
I just pay $160. That was the story.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-01-21 18:52
Charles wrote:
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I just got brand new Selmer Omega clarinet. It is really beautiful horn. But I have no idea about this model.
What grade of instrument is this? Why couldn't I find any information from Selmer Web Site,catalog...?
Please help.
Charles -
Selmer is very coy about the Omega line, for reasons that escape me. The only mention on their website is at <A HREF=http://www.selmer.com/clarinet/discus/messages/27/29.html?WednesdayJanuary1920001141pm>http://www.selmer.com/clarinet/discus/messages/27/29.html?WednesdayJanuary1920001141pm<A> where they say only that the model is available only through a small group of dealers. Nothing is said about the instrument itself.
The Flesher Hinton Music site lists Omega models in various instruments, including a Selmer-US clarinet and a Selmer-Paris clarinet, and identifies them as intermediate models. <A HREF=http://www.flesherhinton.com/woodwind.htm>http://www.flesherhinton.com/woodwind.htm<A>
In the early 1950s, Selmer made an Omega model clarinet as their top of the line. It was the same design as their Centered Tone (CT) model, which had a large, non-polycylindrical bore, with various extras, such as a special throat Bb mechanism, interchangeable register vents, extra barrels, engraving on the bell, etc. I played a pair for several years and eventually realized that they weren't that good.
Wish there was more.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-01-21 19:36
I was just looking at a Selmer Omega today at the music store. It looked, by the the size and design of the tone ports, to be a student model. I inquired to the repairman about it (he knows more than the guitar plunkin', drum whackin' salesmen do), and he said it was an intermediate model. Also said it was darned good horn for its price and catagory. The extra engraing on the bell really caught my eye as I kinda like that sort of stuff. Too bad they didn't make it stand out more by putting a little of the gold stuff in it. However, if you only paid 160 bucks for a new or slightly used Omega, I think you got a good deal.
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2000-01-21 19:45
Dear Charles: I had a set of Omega Selmer made for me at the Paris Factory by Maurice Selmer back in 1953/54. They were silver-plated with bronze bushings between all moving metal, came with three tuning barrels, two extra register key vent tubes in varying diameters and, most significantly, were equipped with an amazing register-key mechanism that permitted the throat B-flat to be vented in exactly the correct place. Is that the model you purchased for $160?
If so, you really got a bargain. I sold my set to a musician in LA quite some time ago for considerably more than $160, and they were in fabulous condition and played beautifully. But, I switched to Buffet in '71 and really did'nt need to keep the Omegas.
I rather doubt that the Omega you purchased for $160 is the same model. Selmer has always had a talented and successful penchant for "merchandising"; so, I'm not surprised that some new "Omega" has surfaced. Please let me know. Thanks, E.Thomas
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2000-01-21 19:48
Thanks to Willie's message, I now know more about the Omega you purchased. Also, I remember that the old Omega did have a fancy bit of engraving on the bell! Very interesting!! ET
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Author: Charles
Date: 2000-01-21 21:06
One that I bought is Selmer USA Omega. It is new really. The cork doesn't even have a grease on. It has silver plated key and Selmer C85 105mpc. It doesn't look like pro model but is really beautiful. Somebody told me that it is top line of Selmer USA based on 200/300 design.
Thank all.
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Author: Graham Elliott
Date: 2000-01-24 11:28
I don't know who Charles' pawn shop is and don't make any comment about that shop, but any non-specialist shop selling an instrument at such an undervalue should be regarded with suspicion. Whether their fault or not, there is too high a chance that the instrument is stolen goods. It will be a matter for your own domestic legislation as to whether or not that means you have the rights of owner, in the event the theft is traced through to you. Whether that is the case or not, I would hope all of us would avoid any encouragement of such a business, and do whatever we can to check the position out and hopefully return all such instruments to their real owners.
Charles wrote:
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Thanks Albert.
I bought it from pawn shop. It is brand new, never played, less than 2 years old(?).
I just pay $160. That was the story.
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