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Re: Bb Clarinet dimensions

Author: John Peacock
Date: 2021-04-27 16:07

Regarding weights, a point that may be of interest is the tendency for things to get heavier with time. You can see this in the following time series of Buffet and Selmer Bb's. These are total weights in grams including barrel but not mouthpiece. These are all instruments I've weighed myself; either ones I've owned at various times or had on trial etc.

More recent instruments have the extra weight of the alternative Eb key. There are strongly held views in both directions as to whether this addition enhances the instrument or vandalises it, but we can all agree that the extra weight is unfortunate. If you keep it, a modern Buffet is about 10% heavier than the pre-War norm, and still 8% heavier if you take it off. Selmers are worse: the Recital I trialled was 18% heavier than a BT, and it didn't even have the Eb key. I couldn't cope with all that weight. I wonder why no-one makes instruments in the 720-730 range any more, as they feel much more comforable to play.

Buffet:

1938 714
1959 734
1974 755
1979 748
1982 749
2010 785 (770 without Eb key)

Selmer:

1946 710 (BT)
1956 718 (CT)
1981 743 (S9*)
1983 840 (Recital)
1985 756 (10G)
2009 832 (Privilege) (817 without Eb key)

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Bb Clarinet dimensions

SunnyDaze

2021-04-21 17:51