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Re: Yamaha SEVR/SE Artist in US?

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-07-16 08:00

Last year I played the CSVR and the SEVR. Also played the German 3. This week I will test out the newly designed CSVR-ASP, which has an added lower key and a larger bore similar to the SEV series at the Yamaha headquarters near Disneyland California. It's a bit pricey listed at about $8000. Folks don't just go there and say hi I want to try out instruments. They won't let you in. Sometimes it takes months to get in, of they will tell you to contact your local store and they will sent them to your favorite store. This is OK. The horns play really well. Most likely the first time you blow into it you will say WOW!

So last year I really liked the CSVR's because for me the upper register was amazing, compared to the R13. I cannot agree with the SEVR playing like the RC. I tried the RC several years ago and didn't like it, but I do like the SEVR's a lot. So That's my opinion. It is a larger bore so I'm more inclined to compare it to the Selmer Signature which I really like. In fact the 2 horns I came close to buying were the Signature and Guy Chadash's horns that play like the Vintage Buffet 1950/60's R13 horns, but better. They tune better as he moved the octave key forward. A set of either horns are a shade over $10,000. A and Bb. Sure beats the new $20,000 Backuns, which I recently played on tour up in San Francisco. I had a few hours to test them with the orchestra. The sound doesn't project enough for me. I want the notes to ring in a hall.

I'll keep all of you posted on the CSVR-ASP. But I won't write a review for awhile until I feel it's setup right for me; if I even get one.

The CSVR was playable right out of the case, both the Bb and the A. But the keys were too low so I had to adjust the keys where your fingers cover the holes. I did a few other things as well. A custom Yamaha barrel change and a mouthpiece tip opening change to really get that sweet sound out of the horns.

If I got a set of the SEVR's I would have been very happy. You need a bit more air in my opinion. Also tested the German straight bore clarinet and that was wonderful and underrated. You can use a French or German mouthpiece.

Tom Powalski has a set of both horns, the SEVR and the CSVR. Maybe do a search and email him. I think I spelled his name right. We both studied with Gennusa and he's a double lip player. He'll say the truth. He's that kind of guy. Being a Gennusa student he has a fine sound. However a lot of his music is electronic now. Live he is excellent. I may have an advantage over most players regarding sound as I had 7 years with Gennusa plus some fun with Marcelles and Fred Ormand at Interlochen.

Final words right now would be to compare the new CSVR-ASP and the SEVR, because of the larger bores. Lastly I tested several horns for about 8 months before going with the Yamaha's. My friend John Bruce Yeh with the Chicago Symphony set me up with Yamaha. Yamaha heard me on PBS TV so I became one of their artist. Several people have sent me emails from this Board telling me how thankful they are for buying a CSVR. Only 1 person had a bad experience, but Yamaha fixed the problem and he got a new horn in a very short time. Several people translates to perhaps 40 or so that left Buffet. One decided on the German clarinet. The gold plated model. You won't have to play 15 horns to find one good one. Probably just 1 or 2. So for what it's worth the SEVR plays more like the Selmer to me.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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