 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: senexclarinetta
Date: 2023-02-26 22:50
I currently play an E11 Bflat and I've run across on various auction sites a Selmer Series Nine * in both Bflat and A.
I'm looking for an upgrade that won't break the bank, especially as I'm hoping to get a A clarinet in the near future. (I've heard it's optimal to match the Bflat & A clarinet?) From what I can read they seem to have been popular -- any thoughts?
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Author: kilo
Date: 2023-02-27 00:32
The Series 9* was Selmer's first poly-cylindrical bore and was made for symphonic and chamber playing. If I were looking for a matched set I'd definitely check out this offer, but the proof, obviously, is in the playing.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2023-02-27 00:49
They were very good indeed, but not their A clarinets, which were badly out of tune. That said, if it's a Selmer series 9*, it's no spring chicken. I would opt for something a bit newer.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2023-02-27 15:11
playtested a 9* fairly recently. It was a very good horn. Didn't outplay my current one so I didn't buy it, but I've heard almost nothing but good stuff about these clarinets.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2023-02-27 15:14
Quote:
I'm looking for an upgrade that won't break the bank, especially as I'm hoping to get a A clarinet in the near future. (I've heard it's optimal to match the Bflat & A clarinet?) From what I can read they seem to have been popular -- any thoughts? FWIW, I don't ever play an A clarinet, but I'm a woodwind doubler between clarinet and saxes often.
When people say "Match Bb and A", take that with a HUUUUGE grain of salt. It's MUCH better to match resistance and overall playability than make/model. Just like you can find R13s that are more resistant than others, it's more important that when you pull out your mouthpiece, slap it on an A clarinet, that your breath support translates equally to dynamics and tuning up and down the clarinet.
No one in the audience will care what model clarinets you have chosen for A and Bb. But YOU will care if every time you switch to A clarinet you have to change so much about your embouchure, breath support, tuning tendencies (oral cavity), etc. that it's like playing a TOTALLY DIFFERENT instrument. Try to find an A clarinet that FEELS like you're playing your Bb. THEN you have a great matched set.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-02-27 16:52
I do happen to have a set of consecutively numbered Series 9* clarinets from 1967 - the A being V23x1 and the Bb is V23x2, so that's as close to a matching set as you can get. They were made for Gino Cioffi who sold them onto one of his pupils in 1968 who played them until 1978.
The A uses a shorter barrel compared to the Bb, but I still have to use tuning rings on both to keep the barrels pulled out to where I need them to be.
I can't say I've noticed any tuning issues with them that aren't out of the ordinary, but I play other Selmer clarinets (BT, CT and Series 9) and don't have any trouble with them either. Maybe someone used to playing a Buffet will find trouble with them for the simple reason they're not used to them.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2023-02-27 20:23
Chris P: Here in Paris, people that played Selmer 9, 9*, 10S, played Buffet when playing A clarinet (RC) on the grounds that the Selmer A clarinets were out of tune. Their names: Danguin, Brion, Portal, etc. When the Selmer Recital came out, those that switched to it played both its B flat and A clarinets, both being equally in tune. PS: Cioffi was a great player! Those are real collectors' items you've got.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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