 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-06-16 20:14
I have received several letters from Gino Cioff's grandson concerning his clarinets, the 2 sets of Selmers, and a really unusual set of Buffets which were made for him in order to attempt to woo him into the Buffetland. The letters are fascinating and may have interest for clarinetists who knew of Gino , former students, or those who heard his most beautiful sound, one which is still unique. They are posted, (or will be) at http://clarinet.cc/. Really interesting because he has the same exact name.
Sherman Friedland
Post Edited (2008-06-16 20:18)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-06-16 22:44
FAS-cinating! And he's in "VA/DC." I'm that close to G.C.'s Selmers.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
Post Edited (2008-06-16 22:49)
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-06-16 23:52
Sorry Chris. They are posted , but moving through servers and it may be a day or so before they appear.
Sherman
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-17 12:14
So with Gino Cioffi's devotion to Selmer and presumably a strong relationship with the company, how many Selmers (either single Bbs or sets) were made specially for him?
At the time, Selmer were producing clarinets in a variety of keywork configurations (as were Leblanc and Buffet), though Gino Cioffi's choice was Selmer's System 6 or N.6 (almost full Boehm, but no low Eb).
This set could only have been a special order, so with something this special I went for it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150251632298&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123
How often do you see a matching set like this, and with consecutive serial numbers too?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-06-17 12:19
Wow, you bought them Chris? Hearty congratulations!!! Do they correspond to a Selmer model (Series 9 or 10)?
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-17 12:57
I reckon they're probably Series 9, though they just arrived in the UK yesterday and are now in Customs. I'll measure the bore when I get them.
I felt it was far too good an opportunity to pass on, and they're in remarkable condition. They are unusual to say the least, and the 'Bb' and 'A' stamps on the top joints which I've never seen on any Selmers.
Now, will they make me sound like Gino Cioffi? I wonder what the concert programme was when he tested them?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-06-17 13:12
Chris:
As far as I know, all of the Cioffi Selmers were model 55 (pertaining o the bore, I think. not Centered Tone.
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-06-17 13:13
Model 55
I have received permission from Gino Cioffi to give out his information. If needed, please contact me offline.
I had a set of Ginos clarinets last year. They were also Model 55
Sherman Friedland
Post Edited (2008-06-17 16:09)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-17 14:58
So there's the possibility this set could have been specially built to the Model 55 spec (bore and tonehole size/layout), even though the Model 55 was out of production by nearly two decades when these were made.
My first set of Selmers are an N-series Bb (domed two-piece speaker bush - somewhere after the Model 55 and pre-CT) and P-series A CT (large threaded hexagonal speaker bush), both with System 6 keywork, so I've been spoilt with the extra gadgetry and therefore finding new clarinets with this specification is not an option as none of the big companies make them, which is why I've snapped up so many older full Boehms (mostly Selmers) when I've seen them http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/FB/06.jpg (and some more besides) as well as modifying a plastic Yamaha so I can still use some of the special fingerings, but also saving my wooden clarinets from being played outdoors in the inevitable bad weather that accompanies outdoor playing http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/CP2/10.jpg http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/CP2/11.jpg though I do have to remember where the LH Ab/Eb key is on this one!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Eddydavik
Date: 2008-06-18 08:33
I have one of his A clarinets (or one that was made for one of his students) that I purchased off an auction. It's a Selmer 55, full bohem, no Eb, with the inscription "G.H. Bobbett 1956 from G.B. Cioffi" under one of the left pinky keys.
Very beautiful sound, though in need of a good fix to repair some cork and springs.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-06-18 21:54
All this talk of Selmer's, a good friend of mine who was a student of Gino's has a set of Buffets which she asserts were "his personal clarinets". For years, she played second clarinet with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and is now living and still playing in California. Like Gino, a double lip player. Just comments for thought and discussion...............
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Author: donald
Date: 2008-06-20 09:53
i can't believe those clarinets were for sale in... Waipukerau!!!!! i would have loved to have driven down and tried them out. Oh well.
dn
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-06-20 12:20
William,
I love it! Just like the stories of Benny Goodman, who probably owned everything there was to own. Was BG really a Selmer man when it came down to recording? We'll never know.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-20 14:28
"i can't believe those clarinets were for sale in... Waipukerau!!!!! i would have loved to have driven down and tried them out. Oh well."
I've just paid the customs duty on them (most of which was VAT) so they'll be with me on Monday. Can't wait!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-25 01:28
I got them Monday morning and they're in remarkable condition - the wood is absolutely flawless and looks like it's only just been freshly worked on, the tenons are all crisp as are the tonehole chimneys, the bore is dead smooth, shiny and not dried out at the top like a lot of clarinets (though it will be oiled in due course). The silver plating has barely tarnished and each section (including bell and barrel) is marked with the serial number of that particular instrument, plus the 'Bb' and 'A' inscription on the front of each section (apart from the lower joints). The adjusting screws are nylon tipped as well!
I think the Bb has a 66mm barrel and the A a 65.5mm barrel, and the bore at the middle tenon measures somewhere around 14.75-14.8mm (though I'll need to get a more accurate reading).
I tried them out this evening and considering the pads may still be the originals, they do play very well (although the rings are set very high to the chimneys) - such a full, rich sound across the range. There are two HS* mouthpieces - one of which looks untouched by human hands, and the seller even put a Selmer D, so there's three mouthpieces with them.
As the case is of the type where the bells remain on the bottom joints (and they had been cased up with the bells half-way on the tenon to prevent them sticking), the corks have compressed and the bells are loose, but the tenons are wobble-free.
But it won't take much as far as a full overhaul goes to get these clarinets both looking and playing at their best - it'll just be a case of replacing all the consumables and very little effort on the polishing side.
They're winners!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-06-25 14:10
Congratulations Chris! I love 40s/50s Selmers. They are probably what I play the most. I'll be the "Series 55" bores really sound out!
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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