The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: miket
Date: 2010-12-30 12:03
Hi,
I am thinking of buying a Yamaha Custom made clarinet, either -SEV or CSV. I would appreciate opinions on the pros and cons of the two models. Which on should I buy?
Thanks!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-12-30 14:28
I play both regulary and would say that they are both really well made horns with exceptional internal pitch characteristics. The SEV is more "accessable" in that it is a typical French clarinet design with a standard barrel length. This would make it easier to substitute other barrels if you so desire.
I, however, prefer the slightly more rich sound of the CSG. It does have a longer top joint and much shorter (than "normal" barrel..... 55mm). The barrel length of the barrels that are provided are too long in my opinion and facilitate the extra cost of buying their shortest barrel (53.5 or something like that). Other than that, they are marvelous horns.
..............Paul Aviles
OOPS........sorry, misread your post in a hurry. I don't know the CSV at all.
Post Edited (2010-12-30 14:29)
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Author: miket
Date: 2011-01-01 06:13
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate it.
Mike
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-01-01 16:08
Mike,
David Niethamer is the retired principal of the Richmond Symphony and a Yamaha artist. You might search the board for his comments on the Yamaha instruments or send him an email directly (niethamer@aol.com).
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Loliver
Date: 2011-01-01 17:54
I would recommend the Yamaha CSV- much, MUCH better than the other clarinets I played when upgrading (R13, SEV and a Selmer, either Arthea or Odysee, I can't remember). I found that the two Yamahas had much nicer tone and stability, but were quite booming at the lower end, due to the resonance chamber, making E, and to a lesser degree F, very powerful, but sometimes sounding a bit too boxy. The R13s I tried were awful, to be blunt, so am glad you chose a to go Yamaha than Buffet.
If you get a chance, you have to try them both, but I found the CSV to require slightly more air, as there was a tad more resistance, but the quality of sound produced was significantly better than the SEV. I don't want to generalise, but I found the SEV would be more suited to an orchestra setting, as it didn't sound quite as unique and bright, but was still a better sound than the R13 or Selmer.
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Author: stlclardr
Date: 2011-01-02 14:41
Hi Miket,
Several years ago, at the ICA convention in Kansas City, I was shopping for a new set of clarinets, Bb and A. I thought for sure that I would end up with new Buffets. After test playing numerous clarinets, I settled for the Yamahas. I was amazed at the rich dark tone, responsiveness, and precise intonation. I tried three or four each of the SEVs and the CSVs, and by far, for me, the SEVs were definitely superior in all aspects. I ended up purchasing a matching set of the SEVs and absolutely love them! The technician who was working that day tweaked all of the mechanisms, and three years later, with fairly heavy playing, I am finally ready to have them repadded. I have been playing with them with the original factory pads and original adjustments from day one when I purchased them. They sound amazing! Do a little research on Yamaha's website, and you will find a list of their performing artists. John Bruce Yeh plays on SEVs!! He is a fabulous artist! I hope that this helps!
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2011-01-04 11:55
FWIW......
I demoed both the SE-V & the CS-V before I purchased my SE-V almost 10 years ago. The one item that I discovered after the fact was that the CS-V has smaller tone holes in the lower joint. If you have smallish hands like I do you may want to consider this.
I'm very happy with my decision to purchase the SE-V though, enough so that I purchased an SE-V A clarinet also. These instruments seem to get better with age. They both have great, dense wood and excellent keywork. I play a Greg Smith mouthpiece & find the combination to work very well.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: miket
Date: 2011-01-04 14:58
To all the great guys who shared your experience, opinions and offered your suggestions. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
I have beter idea now on the two said clarinets and would be able to make a better decision on which to purchase.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope all of you will have a good and enjoyable time playing your clarinets all through the year 2011.
Cheers!!!
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