 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Danova
Date: 2025-10-23 17:28
Selmer Centered Tones are going up in price. A year ago I saw them going for under $600. Now most are upwards of $1000 with some full Boehm going for $2000. Is this simply based on supply and demand?
My friend's gotten lucky with finding two very nice "parts only" Centered Tones under $400. I'm crossing my fingers for the same luck.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-10-23 17:33
Given their current popularity, it's a wonder Selmer doesn't start making them again...and selling them for 6000 euros!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2025-10-23 17:50
Yes, I see the CTs and Series 9s listed in many places at really premium prices and have been curious about the same thing. There are some at good prices, but you really have to look to find them.
I have been tempted to try one, but hesitate because I have played R13 or similar designs for so long that I am not sure how comfortably I could make the transition in feel and tuning.
Ruben brings up a good point. I was thinking about that recently. I don't believe anyone making anything in that large bore style, or at least no big name brand. I think Leblanc had been the last hold outs who still had some. I would think that one of them could produce a larger bore clarinet and if not too insanely priced, could have a real market.
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Author: Danova
Date: 2025-10-23 18:04
My main horn is a B&H Series 2000 from the late 50s. It's a similar bore size to the CT. I've tried a CT, and it's free blowing and the sound is fat and round. I play trad, and aside from an Albert, that's the ultimate trad clarinet IMO.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2025-10-23 20:24
Danova- any thoughts on the intonation of a CT? Some say it is better with a larger bore mouthpiece. What was your experience?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-23 22:04
Selmer CTs were supplied with stock Selmer mouthpieces - usually HS* or maybe other facings marked on the table.
I've got an original condition CT from 1956 which has hardly been played and is almost in mint condition - the original HS* mouthpiece has some minimal teeth marks on it as though it had only been played for a maximum of a handful of hours at the very most. It's an export model with all the extra engraving on the bell and the case is the tan zip-up one with purple velvet lining.
The top joint has been replaced which probably cracked within the first few weeks of ownership and maybe that's the reason it was shelved so early on in its life. The only other oddity was the bell ring had been put on upside down, so chances are that all happened around the same time and it was bought when the humidity levels were low, causing the socket rings to come adrift. All the pads and key corks are the originals and the ventings are set nice and open which is its original factory set-up.
I doubt Selmer will be interested in offering a Reference 54 clarinet, even if demand is there. Maybe another big name company other than Selmer or Buffet would be interested if they're in demand and good examples are getting increasingly difficult to find.
The standard spec CT clarinets I've had have all been snapped up within a very short time of me getting them - in most cases, they were snapped up there and then and none of them were returned or sold on, except for one N series where the owner regrettably part exchanged it for a much older full plateaux Selmer as her arthritis meant she could no longer comfortably or reliably play ring keys, added to the fact the large tonehole diameters don't offer much leeway.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-10-23 23:46
These clarinets are referred to as: large-bore clarinets, but I seem to recall that the bore was not that large: certainly not like Boosey 1010s. Chris P would know. Strictly speaking, I would say: medium-sized bores.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-24 16:45
.590" or 15mm bore is large, but not as large as the 1010's 15.2mm bore.
Even so, the 1010 had small toneholes compared to the Selmer CT - even the CT A clarinets had large toneholes like the Bb when more recent Selmer A clarinets have very small toneholes compared to their same model Bb counterparts.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-10-24 21:45
I wonder how the current Recital compares to CT. I had a Recital A and it had big sound and also responded easily. The tone did not have Buffet’s ring but was nice, maybe on a darker side.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-24 21:53
Recitals have the widest diameter joints that are cylindrical from the bell socket ring all the way up to the barrel and have the smallest Selmer bore (I think it's the same diameter as the 10S), so they're going for a more resistant and definitely heavier instrument. The Recital A clarinet toneholes are considerably smaller compared to the Recital Bb.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-10-24 23:23
The Recital bore is probably the smallest of any modern clarinet. The cylindrical bore is supposed to produce a more Germanic sound. In fact, I would say the Recital is, sound-wise, a good cross between a Boehm and Oehler clarinet.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-10-25 10:00
1964: (hi!) The "ring" you mentioned really is a characteristic of Buffet. No other clarinet has it, including those that have copied Buffet.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: VicBB
Date: 2025-11-04 16:01
I have always thought that vintage clarinet enthusiasts kinda have it easy compare to other instruments, sax for example. Large bore clarinets are mainly sought after by traditional music and jazz players, and that market is kinda tiny in relative to folks going after the MK VI or the SBA. I personally have never tried the CT, but my main clarinet is an l series Selmer RI. Very flexible tone, loud and big. I've love to try the CT some day though, but not at some of the market price some folks are asking. You don't need it to sound like Goodman.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-11-04 16:18
The RI, BT, "55" and CT weren't designed solely for Jazz as Classical and orchestral players also played large bore Selmers - the one model clarinet suits all styles, even if they're favoured by many Jazz players.
Selmer only made the one model of clarinet until the Series 9 and its narrower bore with undercut toneholes counterpart Series 9* in the early '60s. Then the 10G later on which was based on a Buffet bore/tonehole layout.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2025-11-04 16:30
It is amazing to think of the days when a company might make one model clarinet, sax or whatever. Players would get an instrument and make it work for whatever they were doing. These days each of the companies seems to make a slew of different models. Beyond that, the number of accessories out there is staggering.
It is like trying to order off the Starbucks menu!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-11-04 21:58
Considering how many pro level models Buffet currently have on offer (at least eleven at last count), you can see exactly what their motivation is. And quantity doesn't always mean quality, especially where Buffet's build quality goes.
While Selmer have pared down their lineup of saxes, they still have a long way to go where build quality is concerned, as well as addressing a host of issues with their clarinets. One thing that is interesting with Selmer clarinets is the use of natural cross grained key corks glued on with shellac, even though that's an outdated practice what with far better silencing materials on offer nowadays. Natural cork is alight in cosmetic places and tenon corks, but is of no real use for key corks (even though it's 'traditional').
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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