 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2014-01-06 05:25
Recently acquired a 1967 Selmer Series 10 Mazzeo clarinet. Not as bright as I thought it would be by some of the comments from professionals that I have read about. Sounds as good as the Mazzeo that I sold Mr. George Huba a few years back.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-01-06 07:16
Is it a standard instrument with the basic Mazzeo additions (Bb mechanism, left thumb plate, contoured register key and straight bell), or does it have the bells and whistles of the Personal Model?
Photos, maybe?
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-06 03:50
Your Series 10 has a standard lower joint, but the top joint has the Mazzeo mechanism and also it has the classic Mazzeo bell. I recently bought a CT-era Mazzeo bell from Morrie Backun which is significnly lighter than the standard bell - I can understand why Mazzeo had such a bell designed as I bet a full Mazzeo weighs an absolute ton. I use it when playing for long periods on my Series 9 full Boehm A clarinet to make it more top heavy.
I'd love to get hold of just the lower joint for a full Mazzeo Centered Tone as that has the LH low Eb and articulated F#/C# mechanism fitted to it, plus a link from Ab/Eb to the C#/G# key.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2014-01-06 08:51
I have a set (A and B-flat) Mazzeo Series 10 that I selected from the Selmer factory in Elkart, Indiana about 1970. I had the keys silver plated as part of one of the overhauls. I really cherish these instruments and take good care of them because I love the advantages offered by the mazzeo system.
Another plus - no cracks due to good wood stock.
Gene
Post Edited (2014-01-06 08:52)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2014-01-06 11:51
The bell on mine seems extremely light weighing in at only 2 ounces. Chris, how much does your CT Mazzeo bell weigh for a comparison?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-06 13:13
I haven't got any scales sensitive enough to weigh it with, but the lack of the metal bell ring and the thin walls have made a significant reduction in weight compared to a standard CT bell. Also there's no choke where the bell bore meets the lower joint tenon bore with the Mazzeo bell.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-01-06 12:29
I once tried a full Personal Model Mazzeo Bb/A pair, owned by a Mazzeo student. They both were full-Boehm models with the low Eb (even on the A) and numerous other extras, such as an articulated E-F#/B-C# trill, a link from the right little finger A/Eb key to the left little finger C/G# key and a left little finger touch for the low Eb. That created full duplication of little finger keys and no "you can't get there from here" situations.
They weighted a ton, even with the light bell, and the Ab/Eb key had so much mechanism linked to it that you needed the little finger of King Kong to get it down.
Chris - It's my understanding that a choke at the top of the bell is necessary to stabilize the air column vibration. Kal Opperman told me that they had to be different for Bb and A clarinets, and the bells were not interchangeable. Is it perhaps it's not needed when you have the low Eb?
Also, is there a choke in the bells of basset clarinets?
Ken Shaw
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Author: TAS
Date: 2014-01-08 23:24
The Mazzeo is an Edsel, IMO. Adjustments and performance hints for this instrument is akin to putting lipstick on a pig.
Save your $$ and buy a selected Buffet clarinet down in Jacksonville.
TAS
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-09 10:03
Maybe some of us prefer Selmer clarinets - not everyone likes Buffets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2014-01-09 17:41
I have played hundreds of R13's and this Selmer Series 10 Mazzeo is equal to a handful and in most cases better than the majority of them as far as intonation, tone and flexibility.
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2014-01-09 19:33
To add to the above observations and my earlier comments, I will add that the weights of the bells on my A and B-flat Mazzeos are identical. There are no markings on either bell to indicate otherwise and each weigh in at 2 ounces.
I do, however red dot my A bell and barrels to keep everything consistent.
Gene
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