 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ajhogan
Date: 2005-07-30 05:49
I will soon be in the market for a new Bb clarinet. I currently have a Buffet E11 Bb, and I am looking at professional models. I am of course looking at the various Buffet R13's they have to offer, but would also like to expand my buying eye to Selmers. I have not played Selmers before, but have heard that the old Selmer 10G was a respectable intstrument. I was wondering if there are any new Selmers that are good quality instruments.
Of course when I do try some clarinets I will try out some Selmers, but I am also not sure which Selmers are good, and which ones to stay away from.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-07-30 06:10
I personally never tried a Selmer I liked. The sound was great, but the keys weren't really comfortable to me. Now, ignore what I just said, and since Louis Sclavis (and the entire Trio De Clarinettes) and also David Krakuawer are playing Selmer clarinets (I think pretty new models) then they must be good.
I heard the Selmer Signature is just an excellent clarinet.
Good luck.
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Author: clarinetmaniac101
Date: 2005-07-30 08:27
Now selmer clarinet to my taste are okay, but the selmer signature is the one I would recommend you to try out. I have played on one and it is not bad at all but I love the R-13's sound a lot better and the only disadvantage to the selmer signature is that it is a little too heavy for me but it might be just right for you, but that also means that we cannot make the decision for you are the last say in what you buy. Good luck in finding the right clarinet.
Rashad
*clarinet
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Author: Ben Redwine
Date: 2005-07-30 10:54
Hello,
I'm a Selmer artist/clinician. My favorite of the new models is the Recital. Next is the Artys. If you can wait until your state music convention, go there and try many different models and brands before making a decision. If you live near Washington, D.C., my good friend is a Selmer rep and he has about 30 clarinets in his closet that you could try. I'm sure other brands have reps like that. Good luck.
Ben Redwine
RedwineJazz, LLC
410 798-8251
clarinet@redwinejazz.com
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-07-30 11:46
The Selmer 10G is an effective copy of the R13 design.
To branch out in your search (and save some money) consider the Yamaha 72/CS/SE clarinets which are impeccably built and available for less money in the second hand market.
If you're willing to try something completely different, the Ridenour TR147 is made of hard rubber and has a wonderful feel to go with a smooth scale.
Those can be had, used, for under $300!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-07-30 14:10
Despite the fact that current Bb soprano clarinets are relatively similar in design they are not identical in dimensions. That's why you have to actually hold, finger and play each prospect to determine if it "fits" you. It's sorta like buying running shoes. My experience with one Selmer was that the keys didn't fit my fingers. May seem strange until you experience it.
Bob Draznik
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-07-30 14:47
ajhogan,
From what I've read on this BB, apparently it is important to distinguish between Selmer Paris and Selmer USA, with Selmer Paris being the preferred instruments.
Here is a link to the Selmer Paris web site, where you can review specifications: http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/claribas/claribas.htm.
My Selmer (Paris) Recital is a fine instrument, but it might not suit others. My only complaint, after 17 years of playing it, is its weight.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-30 14:54
My spare is a Selmer Signature and it is wonderful. I like it as much as my Buffet R-13 Prestige. Same weight (Recital is what is the heavy weighing model) as the R-13.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-07-31 02:47
With the "feel" of clarinets, I've had a similar reaction. I find the Buffet horns that I have tried to be too flimsy and small in the hands, and (in the past) the LeBlanc horns to be too awkward and "clunky" in the hands.
Selmers suit me just fine, both as to the feel of the keys and the heft of the horn, and Yamahas are more or less neutral (neither prefer nor dislike). And, modern LeBlancs (Opus and the like) that I have tried were far better than the older ones from the days when I had maybe twenty different horns pass through my hands in a year.
One thing that I was particularly NOT fond of was the chunky feel of the LeBlanc horns. It all felt rigid and "out of place" as it was positioned on the horn.
And, none of this is related to how the horns sounded, just the way that they felt. (Going by sound and "play-feel", I'd pick Selmer first, probably old Buffet second and old LeBlanc a long way third.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2005-08-01 03:21
I purchased a Recital Bb approximately one year and have been totally satisfied with the instrument. It has a great sound, good intonation, and a very even scale. But, like many of the other posters have suggested, I tried Buffets, LeBlancs, Yamahas, and other Selmers before I settled on the Recital. The ultimate compliment came from my instructor, a died-in-the-wool member of the Buffet "mafia". After I purchased my Recital, he told me that my Recital was worthy competition for the Buffet models.
Ralph
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2005-08-01 07:02
On the bass clarinet section from the page Hans provided is the "25/11" what we know as the 37 over here? It looks pretty similar.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-01 12:47
I'm a member of the Buffet Mafia too and was truly impressed with the Signature.
One of my students just got an Opus (Leblanc) from 1998 - it is bright sounding compared to my Signature.
bright
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-08-01 13:33
Wow, this is such a personal choice. Play a lot of clarinets.
I loved the sound of my Selmer Series 10 A clarinet but because it was too heavy I had to buy a Buffet R 13 A to replace it. My Bb is a Buffet R 13 and more what I'm used to. I find the Selmers to be quite different in weight and key "feel" than Buffets but some of them have such a great sound.
If you don't have trouble with your hands or thumb/wrist pain it won't matter that some of the Selmers weigh in a little heavier.
Happy hunting, Rebecca
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-08-01 15:04
very happy with my Signature (Bb) and Recital (A).
have no problem with buffets or Leblancs, either. Try them all. Pick what you like.
When I was shopping for a new A, I tried all brands and types within brands - the Recital turned out to be the best for me at that time with the choices available. I even tried Signature A's and went in assuming I should have a "matched" set. Next time I shop for a new Bb, I'll assume I need a Recital (to match the A), but it may not end up that way. I've played some Recital Bbs at Selmer Clarinet exhibits, and they are beautiful.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-08-01 15:11
I too have fallen in love with the tone of the Recital, although at times it almost feels like you are playing an alto clarinet. However, I've grown old and quite content while playing horns with articulated G#s, fork Ebs and side Eb levers. So, my future purchases will have to be restricted to those horns where I can get the mechanism, which means (shudder) Buffet (as far as I can tell, with Amati being a non-contender).
I'd love to have a set of full Boehm Recitals, weight notwithstanding, but that ain't gonna happen.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Buster Brown
Date: 2005-08-01 18:22
When I bought a new clarinet last year, I tried to like and buy the Selmer Signature. It felt good, played in tune, however it's tone was muffled. No matter what mouthpiece I used it wouldn't project. I ended with a Buffet Vintage which I love.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-08-01 19:03
I have also heard many, many good things about the Selmer Recital and know of several highly-respected pros that are playing one. It has a nice, dark tone. If I could afford it, I'd buy one.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-08-01 20:56
The Recital has a smaller bore than other Selmer (or Buffet) models. Many people have found that the only mouthpiece that plays in tune is the Selmer model designed for it, or a custom made one.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-08-01 20:59
Dear ajhogan; Selmer Paris clarinets are higher pitched than the others, which is good for me. Dark sound, good intonation, even sound emmission while using a softer reed. Use a hard reed instead? Okay. Reed: pitch, pitch. Just measure clarinets: the distance from the top of the barrell to the side A trill key tonehole is best. Question: Enlarge the smaller bore diameter in the barrell because it is smaller than the top of the lefthand joint (almost as small as the center) if you want to have less resistance? Loudness? I go loud and off. Off, Ken
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-08-01 21:12
Dear Terry; Add a biz key if you have no fork or seventh ring and add the aux side Eb-Ab lever. I had this done to the best clarinet I could find. Your location has warm and pleasant outdoor seating at some coffee shops for clarinet practice, huh? But hold it down, Ken
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2005-08-01 22:54
Terry - Perhaps you should ask Selmer if the Recital is available in FB configuration as a special order. The older Series 10SII was shown in one catalogue as being available in FB configuration. You never know until you ask !
Ralph
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-08-02 02:50
I've thought of that, since our boy Woody Allen got them to cough up a new Albert horn for him. However, I've no need to replace now, so it's still in the future.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Snowy
Date: 2005-08-02 04:00
Terry wrote :-
"I too have fallen in love with the tone of the Recital, although at times it almost feels like you are playing an alto clarinet. However, I've grown old and quite content while playing horns with articulated G#s, fork Ebs and side Eb levers. So, my future purchases will have to be restricted to those horns where I can get the mechanism, which means (shudder) Buffet (as far as I can tell, with Amati being a non-contender).
I'd love to have a set of full Boehm Recitals, weight notwithstanding, but that ain't gonna happen."
In 2001 I thought I had it made when I acquired (on ebay but here in Melbourne) a 10s f/b , the BEST instrument I had ever come across.
Over the next couple of years I tried and tried to get a f/b "A" to match it with no luck. But then I found the most gorgeous matched pair of 10s's which I have now being playing for 13 months. The only snag was that they were standard 3/4 boehms.They are EVEN BETTER than my f/b and , though it was hard work to retrain pinkies, it was worth it. That after probably 35 years of playing nothing but full boehms.
The point. Looking for f/b's only will restrict you. But the upside, at least here in Aus, is that you will buy cheaper.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-08-02 15:22
Oh well. Guess I'll stick to my Buffet R-13 right now. I just got set up with all the extras: Backun bell, several barrels, a couple of new mouthpieces...too much invested to switch although the Recital is tempting.
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