 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Trismegistos
Date: 2011-12-04 18:32
Hello,
I have been searching for professional Henri Selmer (Signature / Recital / Privilege) clarinet for price around $1500. Where can I buy it? I'm from the Czech republic and it is very tough to meet anyone offering these instruments for lesser price then $3500 and you definitely wouldn't find it in a second hand goods store.
1)Ebay and other Internet auctions
So far, I've only tried several auctions on Ebay, but it's uneasy to win there and what is more important, in case I would win i can't try the instrument before buying and something tells me that if they sell brand new Selmer Recital for $1500, it probably isn't the nicest piece...Do anyone have some experience?
2) Music Messe Frankfurt
Now i consider to visit International Music Messe in Frankfurt, Germany. I was told there is a lot of good instruments. But I really need to know if such a visit makes any sense. Do they (Selmer Paris) sell it cheaper there?
3) Visiting France..
Maybe it is common to find Selmer Paris clarinets in any second hand goods store (bazaar) directly in France, Paris..?
Or is there some better way to achieve my goal?
I would really appreciate if you could help me. Thanks!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-05 01:29
Selmer is selling their product at a high rate these days. There's not much you can do about it. Resellers are all aware of market value, so used instruments are comparatively high as well.
You can get a great instrument in the Yamaha CSG and SEV for less, that compares on every level to the Privilege.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: The Watcher
Date: 2011-12-05 05:02
I've checked out alot of second hand clarinets from a number of places and haven't found any real bargins either. Most of those advertised are only a couple of hundred less than a new one. And, they don't come with a warrenty.
I don't see how anyone can find a good used clarinet at a price where it really makes some sence to buy used instead of new.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-05 05:35
I've had a lot of success in buying older model Selmers off eBay, so do keep an eye on what's on offer there and then budget into that the cost of a full overhaul and you'll still get an excellent instrument at a fraction of the cost of any new pro model clarinet.
Here's a made up set of Series 9s (1962 A and 1978 Bb) I bought off eBay and use as my main instruments: http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/FB/07.jpg
I bought a matching set (with consecutive serial numbers and each section is numbered) of Series 9* clarinets off eBay that once belonged to Gino Cioffi, then they were bought by one of his pupils in the late '60s who sold them on eBay a few years ago - the set cost me £1500 which is less than the average cost of a pro model Bb!
There are plenty of used Series 9 and 9*, Series 10, 10S and 10G clarinets out there that are still perfectly serviceable instruments (given time, effort and money spent in restoring them), so put them to use instead of letting them collect dust.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-12-05 05:59)
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Author: denkii
Date: 2011-12-05 06:48
I agree with Chris P. Trying out some "vintage" clarinets would be your best bet to get a relatively cheap professional clarinet whether it be Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc, etc. I got a nice vintage Leblanc for about $800 and thats after duties and shipping. I'm not a professional or an advanced player but my private teacher quite liked my clarinet. There are many people out there that are happy with their Centered Tones, Series 9s and 10s and they usually get them for a price much, much below the price of the new Selmers.
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Author: donald
Date: 2011-12-05 09:12
Check out the used instruments at Howarth- i believe that a NZ clarinet players has her old pair of Signatures for sale there, i believe these are good ones. There is a VERY cheap pair of Selmer 10Gs for sale in a reputable music store here in NZ- i play tested them for a student and the intonation was abysmal. I don't doubt that Chris P has had some good results, but my experience is that there is usually a good reason for it when clarinets get "let go" (though, that said- i really really regret selling an R13 A clarinet i had back in 2004, darn it.... i was picky about nickel keys, but after all the bother i've had since then trying to find a good A clarinet i could have just got it replated!)
dn
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-05 12:19
I just looked at a fully restored Selmer Series 9 here in Kansas (not the booming metropolis of New York New York mind you) and the price was a hefty $1300 American dollars. If you can 'afford' to wait and hunt....... and hunt and hunt and hunt, you may find some good bargains out there.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-12-05 14:25
As others have mentioned, at the $1500 price point you are going to be limited to older Selmer models. Realistically I think you'll have trouble finding something newer than perhaps the Series 10S-II (late 1970's through 1980's, perhaps early 1990's as well) at this price range. Other than perhaps the Artys model (discontinued early, don't come up for sale often) and the Prologue model (not really a professional model) the newer Selmer clarinets will generally be out of reach.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-12-05 17:25
I just found a hawk shop Selmer pro model in a Las Vegas for $4,995. The shop is just about 2-miles from Kessler's Music
Bob Phillips
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Author: Trismegistos
Date: 2011-12-10 17:32
Thank you for many replies !!!
I guess some Selmer 10S via Ebay is worthy trying.
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