 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken.
Date: 2020-07-03 21:35
What exactly is a Series 9 Bass Clarinet? Is it just a name for the below models?
Model 30 (no articulated G# or LH Ab lever)
Model 32 (with the above keys)
Model 33 (with the above and low C)
So all of the bass clarinets Selmer made from around 1960 to the early 80's?
Post Edited (2020-07-03 21:36)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-07-03 23:34
I've always associated Selmer bass (and other harmony) clarinets along with their soprano models made in the same era going on the serial number letter prefix. So with that, I'd refer to a P to R series bass clarinet a 'Centered Tone era' bass or an S to A series bass a 'Series 9 era ' bass as I don't know the exact model numbers for their basses.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2020-07-03 23:55
Yes, I think so. I have been a fan of Selmer Paris clarinets of that vintage and have owned several (and still own a few). Some have been marked Series 9, and others not. And yet all of them conform to the model numbers you list or their analogous models.
Model 30 Bass Clarinet ca. 1970 not marked Series 9.
Model 22 Alto Clarinet ca. 1962 marked Series 9
Model 25 basset horn ca. 1967 not marked Series 9
Model 40 contra alto ca. 1958 not marked Series 9
Note that only the Bb Bass and Bb/A soprano clarinets have new model numbers since then. The others are basically the same designs/model numbers from the 1960s-70s. Apparently "Series 9" is just a marketing designation that comes and goes.
At least that's my conclusion.
(BTW, inexplicably, all of these instruments also feature lyre holders....for all the marching I do with my basset and contra!)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-07-04 01:20
Attachment: P5210001.JPG (669k)
Even their D series bass clarinets in A made in the late '80s still had a lyre holder.
While marching with a bass clarinet is pretty pointless as it's not likely to be heard, at least it's doable with a low Eb model. But why Selmer fitted lyre holders across the board on everything from basset horn and lower is anyone's guess.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken.
Date: 2020-07-04 09:15
Chris P wrote:
> I've always associated Selmer bass (and other harmony)
> clarinets along with their soprano models made in the same era
> going on the serial number letter prefix. So with that, I'd
> refer to a P to R series bass clarinet a 'Centered Tone era'
> bass or an S to A series bass a 'Series 9 era ' bass as I don't
> know the exact model numbers for their basses.
>
Makes sense. Thanks.
bradfordlloyd wrote:
> Yes, I think so. I have been a fan of Selmer Paris clarinets
> of that vintage and have owned several (and still own a few).
> Some have been marked Series 9, and others not. And yet all of
> them conform to the model numbers you list or their analogous
> models.
>
> Model 30 Bass Clarinet ca. 1970 not marked Series 9.
> Model 22 Alto Clarinet ca. 1962 marked Series 9
> Model 25 basset horn ca. 1967 not marked Series 9
> Model 40 contra alto ca. 1958 not marked Series 9
>
> Note that only the Bb Bass and Bb/A soprano clarinets have new
> model numbers since then. The others are basically the same
> designs/model numbers from the 1960s-70s. Apparently "Series
> 9" is just a marketing designation that comes and goes.
>
> At least that's my conclusion.
>
> (BTW, inexplicably, all of these instruments also feature lyre
> holders....for all the marching I do with my basset and
> contra!)
I wasn't aware some were actually stamped Series 9. I thought that was just what people called them because of the concurrent Series 9 soprano clarinet run.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2020-07-04 15:28
Even contra alto clarinets have been labeled "Series 9".
Today's Recital Eb is probably only a label on the the same unnamed Eb that Selmer sold previously and has nothing of the characteristics of the Recital A and Bb clarinets (small bore, thick walls).
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2020-07-05 13:48
Chris P wrote:
> I've always associated Selmer bass (and other harmony)
> clarinets along with their soprano models made in the same era
> going on the serial number letter prefix.
This presents a problem for the decade 1971-1981 (W series through to B series), since Selmer were making both Series 9 and 10 instruments in this period. Maybe a 1975 Bass should be Series 9.5?
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2020-07-05 18:27
Interestingly, after the model 22 alto got the ergonomic thumb register key ("sax style") around the X or Z series, there were no more changes to its acoustic design ever again. So it simply depended on the specific type of clarinet and Selmer's willingness to develop them further - which, understandebly, wasn't too high being an alto clarinet.
For some reason, the model 22 is designated as "C-19A" in Europe.
Best regards
Christian
Post Edited (2020-07-05 18:28)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-07-06 01:58
I don't think or know if the bore sizes have changed on their basses over time as they have on their soprano clarinets. There have been plenty of mechanical and tonehole changes done over time which are more obvious.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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