 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DougR
Date: 2005-03-28 21:21
It's called the Privilege, comes in low-c and Eb, has 2 neckpipes available (one more coiled & compact with more of an upturn on the mouthpiece tenon); the low Eb model has a resonance hole on the bell. there's also an adjustable thumbrest and some sort of postive-locating thingy to get the body halves linked up right.
that's about all I can say at this point. My source of information is a circular I got from Selmer in the mail today; unfortunately, it's all in French, and my French blows, so mostly I'm describing what I see in the pictures on a 2-page spread. I'm guessing it's a brand-new model ("...Selmer Paris a decide de retravailler completement sa clarinette basse...Avec plus de 150 nouvelles pieces, le cletage procure un confort et une efficacite exceptionnels...") and that they think it's really hot.
There's also quotes from Henri Bok, Louis Sclavis, Thomas Savy,and Marc Boutillot, again in French, about the Privilege. (Savy: "L'emission est facile, la sonorite est tres centree et tres nettement definie et le timbre, si particulier aux basses Selmer, est bien present."
here's what it says (for you Francophones out there) about the new joint assembly: "L'assemblage de l'instrumentest facilite par un tout nouveau systeme a tenon et emboiture metalliques. Les corps sont bloques lateralement dans la bonne position via un systeme de verrouillage original. Les bruits parasites et jeux de fonctionnement sont reduits au minimum grace a l'utilisation de systemes a pitons pour les bras et de blocs amortisseurs en matiere synthetique pour les chevalets et vis nylon."
(apologies for not including the accent marks.)
I have no clue from the brochure whether (or when) the instrument is destined for the US market.
also in the issue: notice about a "Convention Mondiale de la clarinette basse," apparently sponsored by Henri Bok, to be held October 21-23, 2005, in Rotterdam. Info: www.worldbassclarinet.com.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-28 21:48
Velly interesting, am wondering if it will be marketed in competition with the Ridenour bass cls?? Is it plastic or wood, does it have Single or Double Register keying [vent key on neck and 2 bridge keys] ?? GBK, is it shown on Selmer's web-site, with English translation, hopefully? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: massa
Date: 2005-03-28 22:38
Privilege is the top of the line Bass cl from Selmer.
I am interested in hearing from people who had chance
to play this instrument.
Howarth http://www.howarth.uk.com/ has it in stock.
£4,297.87 without VAT.
- m
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-28 23:48
Roughly translated:
"...The emission is easy, the sound is centered and well defined. The timbre, so unique to the low Selmer basses, is well present..."
Blah, blah, blah...GBK
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Author: DougR
Date: 2005-03-29 01:08
Larry--I'm not sure if it is or not...I'm thinking it isn't, because the Eb version doesn't have the resonance vent on the bell that the "Privilege" has. I think those are what we call in the US the Models 35/37. What's interesting about the specs on the link YOU supplied, though, is that the instrument illustrated is (according to the specs) available optionally in rosewood (palisander) in addition to stained ebony.
I have a perfectly serviceable Selmer Series 9 bass, but good HEAVENS, these horns are lovely to look at.
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2005-03-29 01:17
WWBW also has it in stock as the Selmer 65/67, it was just put up on their website in the last few days. Interesting to note that it's listed as pitched at 442. While I'm still in high school, so my knowledge of music theory is scant, doesn't that mean these basses won't be naturally in tune with the 440 here in the US?
EDIT: Well, not in stock yet, but it is listed. April 14th is listed as their first availability day.
Post Edited (2005-03-29 01:37)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-03-29 01:51
I am sure it will be a great instrument. Selmer has always made one heck of a good bass clarinet. The current model (37) is outstanding.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-03-29 02:37
The Privilege will replace the 37, and is not technically available for sale yet. The first six in this country will be on exhibit at Steinway Hall this coming Sunday. Ricardo M. and the Met clar section will be there (no surprise). The official launch is at the OK Symposium, but the first half dozen will be finding their way out to dealers after the Steinway event if they don't get sold.
See ya there.
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-03-29 03:49
We're all waiting with bated breath to see what they've changed....
They must be feeling the pressure from Buffet and Yamaha to revise the model. This has been a relatively short turnaround for Selmer in the Bass line.
Post Edited (2005-03-31 02:26)
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-03-29 03:57
Baited breath? yuck......hope it aint squid.
Ah, but does the new instrument have a Youthful sound?
Centered with easy emission? Sounds like a laxative commercial.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2005-03-29 04:12
I've haddock up to here with these fish jokes. Anyway, it will be interesting to see if the new model has an easy responding and free-blowing mid-clarion register--an area of the horn where even the 35/37 needed improvement. When it becomes available I'll probably give one a blow (just for the halibut).
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Author: ken
Date: 2005-03-29 05:20
Beautiful instrument.
Robert Small wrote: "I've haddock up to here with these fish jokes."
--I'm not in the mood either, I've got a splitting haddock...v/r Ken ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
Post Edited (2005-03-29 05:21)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-29 05:29
Don't forget to bring your tuna.
...GBK
/ currently listening to Shirley Bassey singing: "Salmon Chanted Evening", "Body and Sole", "Boogie Woogie Bluegill Buoy", "I Cod Have Danced All Night" and "That's a Moray"
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Author: kenb
Date: 2005-03-29 06:29
Bravo GBK!
Who is a devote of Baermann scale exercises. Fisher edition, of course.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-29 12:53
OK, guys, no more "baited" breathing, I prefer a de-bated halinotsis. Back to B Cs, at L 4xxx +, a healthy $8xxx, it better be at least as good as the 37, IMHO, and not reading much Fr, I can still recognise some "praising" adjectives. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2005-03-29 16:07
GBK--I'm glad to see you haven't lobster sense of humor. But personally (and I hate to carp), these crappie fish puns are driving me off the deep end. So I intend to buy a one way ticket to beluga-ville, and when I get there I'll get a bottlenose of Jim Bream and get pickereled.
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Author: Brent
Date: 2005-03-30 16:49
Sorry if it sounds like i'm crabbing, but i just can't see the porpoise of all these puns. You all oyster know better.
OK, i'll clam up now.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-03-30 19:54
And, in any event, the term "bated" in the phrase "bated breath" means withdrawn or withheld (the phrase means "I'm waiting with held breath..."), sharing its roots with the word "rebate" in this sense. No fish connotation at all (except in the minds of poetry crazed clarinet players...)
In the play of the same name, Hamlet thinks that he's going to be fighting with a "bated foil", meaning that the point of the sword has been removed (for practice use). There's also another echo in the term "rabbet" as in carpentry.
Fish puns are all well and good, but at least get the original usage correct...
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-03-31 02:35
I'm glad to see that my bad spelling was such a source of smelly humor.
On the more serious side - Other than now being able to get a long-necked or short-necked bass from Selmer, when can we expect to learn more about it?
(I'm glad to see the steeper angle neck as a no-cost-add option finally. I've never been really happy with the sax-like mouthpiece angles. This is going to take a big chunk out of Charles Bay's income, though. As far as I can tell, he never patented his neck, though, so....)
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-03-31 05:26
I PLAYED IT AT CLARINETFEST!!! It was niiiiice.... :D
I played the low C model that was used at the debut concert that day, cuz it was the only one made so far (or something).
I'm speshul.
Very similar to the 37, I thought. Shiney... with the name "Privilage" on it... haha. Seemed pretty much the same as the 37, but I didn't get a lot of time to fiddle with it, I was late to clarinet choir rehearsal.
--Contragirl
Post Edited (2005-03-31 05:30)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-03-31 14:25
Only those privileged to have large bank accounts can afford it --- hence the name.
eBay Dave (where cheap is king)
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-03-31 15:20
I was certainly wondering how much they could improve on the model 37. I was having worries of Mark VII-like incident. "Let's change SOMETHING!"
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-03-31 17:54
Maybe the Mk. VII incident is actually their plan --- make this new bass clarinet inferior to the Model 37, which will have two beneficial effects:
1) Make the 37s "collector's items" and drive their prices sky-high;
2) Make everyone want the next follow-on model to the Privilege (for purposes of discussion we could call it the "Super Action 87" or maybe "Reference 37").
Smart marketers, those Selmer guys...................
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-03-31 19:04
My mother was convinced until the day she died that New Coke was a similar ploy. In the intervening years, I have learned the truth - blind taste tests always favor Pepsi - people like sweeter drinks - and Coke's marketers responded to this - but branding is more complicated than that.
With Buffet now making a real competitor, the strategy you describe is pretty fatally flawed. I agree that LeBlanc and Yamaha have the wrong instrument for widespread adoption in the US (where do these narrow-bore basses sell anyhoo?), but Selmer doesn't gain anything from sending the Mark IV or the Model 37 prices through the roof - they aren't sitting on some huge stockpile.
As for the follow-on - there is a HUGE danger of the Buffet Prestige becoming the pre-eminent brand in the meantime. There is significant brand loyalty in this segment, but instruments have real qualities and there is a certain level below which your brand will suffer pretty instantly. Remember, Selmer is owned by Steinway - I don't expect any high-risk brand moves - nor would I advise any.
I still get the vibe that the instrument companies are still directed more by the instrument designers than the marketing folks. You don't see big efforts to run new designs under the nose of potential customers but instead they are evaluated by the virtuosi only.
I haven't seen a big elaborate brand strategy yet outside of Buffet. Even Yamaha knows that the key is turning out great instruments and building reputation. Hype won't buy you anything but awareness in this industry.
What I think this is is like the Buffet Prestige - a minor design revision with a major price hike.
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