 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-19 17:12
Concerning the older, pre-polycylindrical Selmer models, how do these horns compare with each other? I know of Series 9 (that was pre-poly, wasn't it?), Centered Tone, Balanced Tone, some just marked Selmer Paris . . . I'm sure there must be others.
I was just curious about how they compared and their playing characteristics.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-19 19:15
Fred, there were 2 different Selmer 9s. The 9 (non-poly) & the 9* which featured a Poly-Cylindrical bore. The beginning of the 9* dates a bit later, as you might expect. mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2000-12-20 07:23
Fred,
It really is a matter of personal preference, just like selecting a new clarinet. I own and have played vintage Selmer clarinets from the 20's to the 60's. Each has it's unique sound. I think best overall tone and playability still comes from my 1953 "P" series.Centered Tone, although an "N" series that I sold last September came very close. I recently restored a Selmer Balanced Tone and it plays very well, but I've really only exercised it a couple of times so I can't tell you a whole lot comparativley. I do know that the BT that I restored for my wife plays well. She would rather get rid of me than that clarinet and is not hesitant to tell anyone. (Make's me feel a little unwanted since I'm the one who restored and gifted it to her! ; ^ ) I actually had one CT ("Q" series) that I thought played better than the one I currently own. I sold it to a chap in Utah. The reason I sold it is that the CT that I kept has been pinned in the upper joint and I knew it would not command a good resale figure. However the differences are/were slight. The Series 9 is a good instrument. Most of these come with plated keys whereas the earlier Selmers have the raw nickel-silver keys. To me the Series 9 is a little less "free blowing" but also a lot easier to tune. The Selmer that most refer to as "Brevette" and has the S.D.G.D lettering has a smaller bore that the 30's "L" and "M" series. It plays well, but does not have the same full sound. Also I find some of them a little unstable in the throat tones. I think you covered most of the models except the "Radio Improved" which I think is the same as the "L" series in design. I can't tell any difference and believe that it was just a marketing ploy by Selmer.
Later,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-20 14:31
MW -
The Selmer Series 9 and Series 9* were introduced simultaneously around 1960. They were advertised as alternative models, for different playing styles, but the ads were vague about what the differences were. I don't think they said anything about the 9* having a polycylindrical bore, probably because the word was a Buffet trademark or at least associated with Buffet. The Selmer ads probably mentioned undercut toneholes on the 9*, but 40 years later I don't remember exactly.
In those ancient times, it was unthinkable to mention a competitor's name in your ads. Certainly the 9* ads didn't say anything about "playing like a Buffet R-13." The ads for the 9 talked about continuing the Selmer tradition, and may have talked about the 9* as continuing the tradition with new possibilities.
It's only now, years afterward, that we have started talking about the 9 being Selmer style and the 9* being Buffet style.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robert
Date: 2001-01-01 20:19
All I have to say is I loved, and still love the Selmer Series 9 Rosewood Contra-Alto clarinet, big hunk of junk... that I played in highschool (I'm a college student so that wasn't that long ago). I wish I could have taken it with me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
