 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-06-30 23:41
There was a recent thread on the merits of the Selmer Series 9. Many of the attributes seem to be similar to those of the earlier era Selmers. Does anyone have an opinion on how the Series 9, Balanced Tone, Centered Tone, etc. all compare? Weren't they all larger bore horns without undercut tone holes? I would really appreciate hearing from those of you who have had a chance to compare these horns from yesteryear side by side.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-07-01 01:03
Fred,
I own all three currently. Give me a day or two and I'll get back to you on this. I'll measure the bores and see if there are any bore differences. Key structure changed slightly in the models, esp from BT to CT. CT and Series 9 have similar key structure. I haven't really played them s/s for comparison but will do so with the careful ear of my wife. My hearing isn't what it once was. One of the penalties from directing bands for several years.
You are correct in that they are striaght bore (reverse cone ?) horns w/o undercutting.
John
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-01 14:51
I purchased the Series 9* that was the subject of the thread. It hasn't arrived yet, but should be at my house by tomorrow (Monday). I understand the 9* had the improvement of undercut tone holes, but will see when I get it. The series 9 does have a slightly larger bore and is loved by doublers and jazz/big band players.
I'll add more to this thread tomorrow when I have had time to actually play the clarinet.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-01 16:18
Ed Maurey had a very recent post on the Klarinet thread. He indicated that he believed the 9 had _some_ undercut tone holes and the 9* had (even) more undercut tone holes. There are definitely different bores, too, the 9* being a smaller bore.
I had believed the 9* was a move towards the poly-cyliindrical bore but another poster claimed a Selmer employee said NOT. (which would mean that the Series 10 was the first poly-bore for Selmer; this is true as Clark Fobes had written about it) .
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Author: William
Date: 2001-07-01 16:56
I have played the CT and 9* models and they play quite differently. The "Nine" Series was Selmers answer to the competition of the more popular Buffet R-13s and I liked the 9* (with its undercut tone holes) that I selected at the factory in Elkhart, In, and still have, after all these years. It is interesting for me to recall that I was a college student guest of the Selmer facility just two days after a similar visit by Benny Goodman and played some of the same clarinets he had tried. But, back to the topic, as an audience member listening to Chuck Hedges of Milwaukee play jazz (IMHO, he is the best "unknown" jazz clarinetist in the world) on all of these models, I prefer the sound he used to get from his old BT to these later models. For everyones info, he is now playing on a LeBlanc Concerto (gift from Vito) and says he likes the feel of the "keyboard" and the smoothness between registers--easier to play. However, again IMHO, the old Selmer BT had the sound. Good Clarineting.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-01 19:59
I'd have to agree about the superior "playability" of the Leblanc Concerto to almost any of the Selmers I've tried, including the new Selmer Signature. However, ease of play is not always what a player desires. Sometimes it's just the sound they're looking for and they're willing to learn to manage the quirks of a specific instrument in order to have the desired sound of the Big Band Era Selmers--including the Series 9.
I think the Series 10 was their first real attempt to compete with the R-13, and the 10G Gigliotti model was probably considered the closest to accomplishing that goal. O. Lee Gibson talke about the acoustic makeup of the 10G and others in his book, Clarinet Acoustics where he scientifically studied the 10G and R-13 and others along the way.
Most people I know who own Series 9s prefer them to Series 10s for Big Band, however, I agree about the BT (Balanced Tone) model being best of the three: Series 10, Series 9 and BT.
Eddie Daniels plays the Leblanc Concerto and really likes it. I've owned one and found the tone a bit lighter than the magnificent Opus or the delightful Leblanc LL. Actually, the Opus has such a big sound that it could easily be used for jazz--and the register jump is smooth and much nicer than any Selmer I've played--including the !0 S, Selmer Signature, Signet, etc., etc.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-02 19:38
I've played the Series 9 now and must say it sounds very much like my Buffet R-13. It doesn't sound like the big bore models at all. I don't have a measuring device, but would have to summize from playing it that it is as mw has said and has a smaller bore like the R-13.
I was also very disappointed in the condition of the clarinet. It was advertised to have "all pads & corks in very good shape," but has many that are in desperate need of replacement. Adjustment was also not good and it was much older than I had thought. If my friend doesn't want it I'm going to ask the seller for a refund.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-02 19:42
Brenda, I feel certain Al will make an adjustment to your satisfaction or refund your bid price. Contact me offlist. Best, mw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-02 20:03
I will certainly give him every opportunity and will contact him if I need to send it back. It doesn't sound different enough to my Buffets and Leblancs to justify my keeping it for my personal use. Also, I don't think it's going to have the big band sound my friend is looking for--as with the BTs.
Thanks mw. We'll be in touch.
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2001-07-03 01:42
Brenda - I blieve that you purchased the Series 9*, which has a nominal bore diameter of .577". If you are looking for the "big bore" sound, you will want to try the Series 9 (no star). It has a nominal bore diameter of .584". When going from a Series 9 to a Series 9* or vice versa, there is a noticeable difference in the amount of resistance to the player. Good luck!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-03 13:08
I wasn't really shopping for myself, but for resale purposes. My friend has the clarinet right now and he seems to like it. You're right, it is closer to the Buffet R-13 in bore size---probably almost identical---and sounds very much like an R-13. I played my R-13 and then played the Selmer 9* and the tone is almost exactly the same. There were several notes that were really out of tune on the Selmer and will have to be "lipped." I don't think I'll be buying another one.
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