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Selmer Basset Horn Keywork...

Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-08-20 14:47

Can someone please post detailed pictures of their Selmer basset horn low D and C keys (both thumb keys and the LH D lever) and all the linkages involved as I need to add the LH D lever and both thumb keys to mine (serial number 879), and I want to keep it as authentic and true to Selmer as I can. All music shops of worth I know of don't stock Selmers as they're too expensive and the last new one I saw was back in 1988.

This basset horn never had thumb keys originally, being pretty much a copy of the early Buffet basset horns, and all the downward extention keys were for the little fingers, although a crude attempt at a low D thumb key was added (as well as a sling hook ring on the thumbrest - out of mild steel rather than nickel silver!)

The low D touch was in the same position as where the LH Eb/Ab key would now be, though I have since removed the bridge to the low D and soldered the remaining link from the LH lever to the Eb/Ab key as current practice dictates. Only problem is I can't currently play the low D (I can still get Eb and Db, but not D) unless I close the key with my right knee, which isn't ideal by any standard, similar to how some people get the low Bb on their plastic Bundy or Yamaha oboes.

Low C is only obtainable playing low Db (RH cluster - in the position the low Eb should be, but that is next to the RH F/C key - having 6 keys in this cluster) and adding the LH F/C key - but I want to link this all up to a thumb key (the lower of the two thumb keys I'll be adding) to make going from low G to low C easier.

Low F to low C isn't a problem as long as F is taken with the left hand and
the low Db key is added.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2005-08-27 08:06)

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