Woodwind.OrgThe Clarinet BBoardThe C4 standard

 
  BBoard Equipment Study Resources Music General    
 
 New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Help/Rules  |  Smileys/Notes  |  Log In   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 
 Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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?

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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


Reply To Message
 
 Re: Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Selmer Series Nine * -- thoughts?
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


Reply To Message
 Avail. Forums  |  Threaded View   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 


 Avail. Forums  |  Need a Login? Register Here 
 User Login
 User Name:
 Password:
 Remember my login:
   
 Forgot Your Password?
Enter your email address or user name below and a new password will be sent to the email address associated with your profile.
Search Woodwind.Org

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages
For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.

 
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org