 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mirko996
Date: 2015-09-23 22:06
Hello, i wanted to ask a question:
I searched information about some jazz clarinettist who plays selmer clarinet but i didn't find much information, so i tell you a list of some clarinetists who use this brand.
The few i know are Artie Shaw, Tony Scott, Benny Goodman, Eric Dolphy, Gianluigi Trovesi, Buddy Defranco.
Thanks very much...
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Author: Clarinetart
Date: 2015-09-23 23:47
I've looked around a bit and I think you will find few who stayed with a single brand.....until they were getting paid to endorse.
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2015-09-25 01:24
The Artie Shaw issue is indeed a vexed one. He was clear to his biographer, Vladimir Simosko, that he endorsed the Conn 444N, but said he didn't play it on the bandstand. Then again, there are anecdotes that he was actually seen playing one. Artie was known to be evasive and contradictory--he once told a clarinetist I know that he never played a Brilhart mouthpiece, despite there being an Artie Shaw model Brilhart--and despite photographic evidence of him playing a Brilhart Ebolin. Maybe he forgot, or maybe he just liked being impish about it, but there's no doubt in my mind he did, in fact, play a Brilhart at least at one time.
His official story, instrument-wise, was that he played Selmers most of his recording career, then switched to Buffet for that last Gramercy 5 sessions, while endorsing the Connstellation. But who knows? he might very well have played one.
If I could get my hands on a good 424N or 444N, I'd definitely enjoy giving them a whirl. I'd also like to add a Pete Fountain model Leblanc to my collection...and an old P-M Albert....and a Selmer Albert.....and a Selmer RI....
Eric
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The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-09-25 08:53
I have a BT circa 1944 which is an M Series. Wood virtually has no grain and intonation is right on the money. I have compared it to many R13's and Pre R13's, Selmer 9* and it is by far the best. It has cork on the upper and leather on the lower joints. The tone and intonation is excellent and it has great power. The best way I can describe the sound is that it has soul class As always will keep it until I find something better if possible.
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2015-09-25 14:44
Silversorcerer wrote:
> I'd love to have a BT. They appear now and again, but the
> legendary status and bidders with deep pockets have shut me out
> on those so far. Clarineteer, what is the bore measurement on
> the BT models? Those are the ones right after the K-series I am
> pretty sure. I just wonder how different these are. The Conns
> changed by a small leap in bore diameter during the same time
> frame.
>
Lateley I've seen an L-series BT. It really looked and played identical to my L-series RI. In my opinion the transition from RI to BT is only a different stamp and problably a marketing 'thing'. I assume bore size may vary during the years the BT has been made. And I would expect the late N-series BT's are more like the early CT's than early BT's.
Just as the CT has changed during the years.
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2015-09-25 17:08
I'd buy those stories about Shaw on the stand with a Conn. We'll never know the whole truth, of course, but I tend to agree that he played more models than he let on.
As for the prices, I haven't been as lucky with finding an affordable Conn 424N or 444N. They tend to get out of my range quickly---but maybe that's because they're mostly a curiosity for me--I don't see me changing from my Centered Tone, which is by far my favorite model of any clarinet--just a personal preference. I love the idea of playing an old American large bore though. It would be fun.
I do have a Selmer BT. The BT has an extremely clear and balanced throat Bb, but the clearest in my collection are the throat Bbs of a pair of Fritz Wurlitzer Reform Boehms.
My CTs are both more resistant than the BT, which I like--I spent several years on Wurlitzers, so just about any Parisian instrument was going to be open in comparison. The wide-open quality of the BT is a little to easy going for me--I prefer a little push back.
It's all about what works for you, of course. Especially on the jazz scene.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-09-25 22:06
Attachment: bt.jpg (1638k)
Here is a photo of my BT. Just noticed a spring came out of the holder because I was doing routine maintenance on it. Now back in place.
Post Edited (2015-09-25 22:11)
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Author: ned
Date: 2015-09-26 04:16
Barry Wratten and Frank Stewart - friends of mine who use vintage Albert system Radio Improved models. I played on one of them - it was fabulous.
Jesper Larsen uses one fairly often and George Lewis also used one, but not regularly. Karl Hird comes to mind, he's a colleague who now resides in Britain. All are viewable (sans myself) on YouTube.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-09-27 09:10
I purchased this BT on Ebay in June of 2015 for $349.00 plus shipping and did the restoration myself using mostly cork pads on the upper and Ferrees white leather bassoon pads on the lower. If and when I ever find a clarinet that plays better I will sell it. I only keep one clarinet at a time. I usually have about 50 to 75 clarinets come through my shop a year so there is a chance that I will find something that I like better but one never knows.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-09-27 19:03
Artie Shaw mentions the difference between Selmer and Buffet clarinets in this clip (from 1:10):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpTVDdpjZ8w
No mention of Conn in this documentary from what I recall, but that's not to say he didn't play a Conn.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-03-12 06:04
you need to play the conn 424 to believe it. its mind blowing how perfect it is for big band era jazz playing. i picked up an ultra pristine 424 for 100$ and had it repadded. i own selmers leblancs and an r13 and i would choose the conn for this type playing everytime.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2024-03-12 10:28
Jimmy Hamilton of the Duke Ellington orchestra used Selmer series 9 as of 1966. Phil Woods used Selmer.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2024-03-12 10:30
Jimmy Hamilton used Selmer series 9 as of 1966. And Phil Woods played Selmer.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2024-03-12 12:33
What did Kenny Davern play ? His sound is just gorgeous.
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Author: graham
Date: 2024-03-12 14:24
According to ChatGPT Putte Wickman played on Selmer. That’s about as good as it gets.
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Author: Rainwaltz
Date: 2024-03-17 06:53
I have a great 444N recently repadded and great cosmetic condition. PM me if interested
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