 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clarinetgirl09
Date: 2006-09-28 21:35
I am currently borrowing a wooden Selmer Eb soprano clarinet. I was just curious about this horn, because I can't seem to find out what model it is (it's not written anywhere on the horn). The serial number is in the "X" series, and I've done some research, and have found that it is from around 1972-1973.
It looks like it hasn't been used too much at all. The logos are still perfect and everything. The keys, though, have buildup on them, but I'm assuming that's from it not being played too much. There's no copper showing on the keys, there's just the buildup (which is slowly going away the more it gets played). The keys are nickle plated.
The inside of the case is just fine. There's nothing torn or messed up about it. It's perfect. The outside of the case is missing the Selmer logo, and there's some stratches on it.
This horn plays very well. The first time I played it, I checked everything with a tuner, and my open G was sharp a little, no biggie, and everything else seemed to be fine. I could just lip the middle space C and B down. Intonation was true. I'm just getting used to lipping everything up or down in the altissimo register, and getting used to the differences that it has from the Bb.
I was just wondering if the dates given for the era of the "X" series is correct, and if anyone knew anything else about the Eb wooden Selmers of the early 70s (assuming that dates are correct).
Thank you for any information.
__________________________________________________________
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Music is a sory told from your soul; a story of passion, of life. Share your story.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-09-28 22:11
It's of the Series 9 era so it should be a good Eb - the only one I've seen is a late '60s one which played brilliantly and even though it was owned by West Sussex County Council, it was in pretty good shape considering how most county owned instruments are in comparison.
My clarinet set are both Series 9 Selmers, though I would ideally like a Series Eb as well (I do like my old R13 Eb), and with any extra keywork they may have had - mainly the forked Eb mechanism and LH Ab/Eb lever.
You can't go wrong with these ones, they make plastic Bundy and Vito Ebs sound like toys.
Can you post some pics as I want to clear something up - there's a Selmer Eb I've seen that looks a bit suss, and I just want to see the comparison to a legit Selmer Eb (ie. the one you're using) and this one I have my suspicions about.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetgirl09
Date: 2006-09-28 22:38
Attachment: Eb 006.jpg (200k)
Attachment: Eb 007.jpg (199k)
Attachment: Eb 008.jpg (200k)
Attachment: Eb 005.jpg (198k)
Thank you so much. It is a very nice horn, and I'm thankful that my private teacher found it. It projects very well. I'm using the HS* mouthpiece that came with it, and it's not too bad, but I'm wanting to go ahead and get a Grabner (I use his K11 mouthpiece on my R13 Bb) or a Bay mouthpiece.
I was shocked by the intonation. It also has a very even scale. Here are some pictures of it.
__________________________________________________________
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Music is a sory told from your soul; a story of passion, of life. Share your story.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-09-29 00:30
The 9 series selmer Ebs are very good
In fact most Selmer Ebs are good.
The Recital Eb is exceptional.
There is a slight tendancy to flat low E and F....easy fix by tenon or bell shortening with slight pad height regulation which keeps the staff C/B intact.
Enjoy.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetgirl09
Date: 2006-09-29 01:29
Thank you! So, am I correct in assuming that this horn was constructed around the early 70s? This is the first Eb that I've ever played, and I can't help but feel it's a pretty good playing horn, even though it probably hasn't been played in quite some time. The keywork falls nicely under the fingers and everything.
It's really interesting to find out more about the Series 9 horns, because I've heard of them a bit, but I could never find too much information about them.
__________________________________________________________
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Music is a sory told from your soul; a story of passion, of life. Share your story.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2006-09-29 20:31
While your clarinet is from the early 70's, I'm not so sure it is a Series 9. I did some quick checking of the Klarinet archives and found evidence that Series 9 eefers were marked as such on the upper joint. (That is consistent with my memory that I had seen one on eBay some time in the past.)
Selmer appears to have used a marque such as your instrument's into at least the 1940's for Bb and A clarinets. The evidence I've seen indicates that they were made for sale in the European market and not imported into the United States. (Though some returning servicemen from WWII brought them back.) Selmer continued to use this marque, at least for the less commonly demanded clarinets for quite a bit longer (and may still for all I know). I have a C clarinet from 1978 with identical markings. My guess is that some of these instruments (Eb and C, e.g.) were imported into the United States because demand was too low to warrant a different model or as special orders. (Hence the importer identification on your bell -- which is not on my C, BTW.)
In any case, if your Eb is anything like my C, it is a very good quality professional model.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-09-29 22:20
Thanks for posting the photos - I'm not sure why the Eb I have in mind has different shaped key touches (and odd spacings on the RH cluster), but also a 5-figure serial number without a prefix.
But I'm not going to buy it anyway - I already have a good Eb.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-09-30 13:56
Kalmen Opperman says the Selmer Ebs from the 1950s and 60s are the best ever made. You were very lucky to get one, as they are in great demand.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-09-30 14:02
I think any Selmers from the '50s and '60s were the best they made.
There's a considerable difference in the quality of the workmanship between my 'S' series and 'A' series Series 9 clarinets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2006-09-30 16:54
I have a Series 9 Eb that is from the 60's. It is a great instrument. Nice full sound, good intonation, very easy to play.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
