 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: greatlakeswinds
Date: 2025-02-14 00:27
Hey everyone, these are unrelated questions about a couple of instruments I just procured...
For Selmer clarinets with Mazzeo keywork, they say "Mazzeo Model", but this seems a bit inaccurate considering there are Bundy's, Signet's, and Selmer Paris clarinets with Mazzeo keywork. The instrument I have is a Selmer Paris Mazzeo Model with a serial number in the series 9 range (T prefix). So, would that be a series 9 with Mazzeo key-work, or is it a different animal altogether? Mine does not say Series 9, but it does have a star under the Selmer crest, as found on late series 9's. Thoughts?
Question 2 is a little less convoluted...does anyone know about "Wenchia" products? I just got in a Buffet R13 that has an aftermarket Wenchia bell and barrel. I've never heard of this brand before and can't find much info about them. Are they any good? Still being made?
Thanks!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-02-14 01:38
If you look down the top joint and see the toneholes are undercut, then that's a visual guide it's most likely a 9* as the regular Series 9 clarinets have straight toneholes with no undercut.
Other visual clues of Series 9 and 9* clarinets being a metal tenon ring on the top joint tenon and a large hexagonal speaker bush which were both discontinued on the Series 10.
I've only just rebuilt a W series full Boehm Series 9 clarinet for myself (including having the nickel plated keywork and fittings all silver plated) which isn't marked as a Series 9 and that has straight toneholes. This one's a bit of a transitional model as it has a mix of old and new style Selmer keywork as some pad cups are the old conical ones and most of the others are the later scalloped type.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: donald
Date: 2025-02-14 14:29
Many years past a student of mine from Taiwan played Wenchia barrels, and bought over a handful for me to try out. For a few years I used a Wenchia 65mm barrel on my A clarinet, and this barrel was sold about a year ago to a student who finds it plays really well (with great intonation) on his Buffet RC Bb.
As far as I recall Mr Wenchia is a very well respected repair tech, who may do some playing/teaching but also crafts these barrels.
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Author: greatlakeswinds
Date: 2025-02-15 08:58
Chris P wrote:
> If you look down the top joint and see the toneholes are
> undercut, then that's a visual guide it's most likely a 9* as
> the regular Series 9 clarinets have straight toneholes with no
> undercut.
>
> Other visual clues of Series 9 and 9* clarinets being a metal
> tenon ring on the top joint tenon and a large hexagonal speaker
> bush which were both discontinued on the Series 10.
>
> I've only just rebuilt a W series full Boehm Series 9 clarinet
> for myself (including having the nickel plated keywork and
> fittings all silver plated) which isn't marked as a Series 9
> and that has straight toneholes. This one's a bit of a
> transitional model as it has a mix of old and new style Selmer
> keywork as some pad cups are the old conical ones and most of
> the others are the later scalloped type.
>
Thanks for the info! Pretty sure this is Mazzeo keywork built on the platform of a series 9 then. It has the tell tale hexagonal register pip.
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Author: greatlakeswinds
Date: 2025-02-15 08:58
donald wrote:
> Many years past a student of mine from Taiwan played Wenchia
> barrels, and bought over a handful for me to try out. For a few
> years I used a Wenchia 65mm barrel on my A clarinet, and this
> barrel was sold about a year ago to a student who finds it
> plays really well (with great intonation) on his Buffet RC Bb.
> As far as I recall Mr Wenchia is a very well respected repair
> tech, who may do some playing/teaching but also crafts these
> barrels.
Thanks for the info!
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Author: ISM
Date: 2025-02-15 09:52
Grearlakeswinds,
Why don’t you conclude that it is a 9*?
Imre
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2025-02-22 04:03
There are a number of sites out there with a lot of info on this model. The bell and barrel where usually stamped with the serial number. The tuning on mine is exceptional. The impression I have is that the register key was optimized for the mazzeo action. The keywork on the model you and I appear have is very similar. The tuning and serial numbers on the bell and barely implies that they were likely hand/more than normal finished. Mazzeo book shows what he did on the full tilt version. Has your bell cracked or is it still good? Beware putting them on a clarinet stand😬
Not sure whether this answers your question. The 9 series were similar/evolution of the centre tones which evolved along the way. The 9* /* could be marked both ways and was Selmers move towards a more modern design, so very different clarinet.
Post Edited (2025-02-22 04:08)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-02-22 20:36
If you are using a clarinet stand with a Mazzeo bell, make sure it's the type of stand where the entire bell is sitting on a flat (and cushioned) base and the peg isn't a tight fit inside it. That will support the entire circumference of the bell and not exert any untoward stress from within.
AVOID USING HERCULES CLARINET STANDS WITH ALL RINGLESS BELLS!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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