 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-01-26 22:23
There is no definitive answer to the question of which clarinet is better. Each player has different preferences for sound, response, and other variables.
The RC Prestige is slightly less bright than the R13 Prestige. Many European musicians have moved from the R13/R13 Prestige to the RC/RC Prestige.
Selmer’s sound concept differs from Buffet’s. As one of my friends (a very fine player) once described it, Buffet has a velvety, “flying” sound, whereas Selmer offers a more refined tone.
I did not play the Privilege, but I directly compared the RC Prestige and Tosca with the Selmer Muse. Two different listeners both felt that the Selmer Muse sounded more refined.
Based on my experience with the Muse, I would not consider the Privilege an ideal choice for concert band or wind symphony playing. I also had an excellent klezmer player try my Muse, and he did not like it; he plays an RC Prestige.
If your sound on a Buffet feels too bright, a Selmer may be a good alternative.
If you play classical music, you will likely enjoy—or even love—the Selmer Privilege or Muse. That said, many players also love the RC Prestige or Tosca.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and taste.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-01-27 01:01
The Muse is far less "Selmer" in terms of sound than the Privilège. I know its tester and I think he pretty much reproduced the work he had done on the artisinal maker's l'Arioso, made by JL (which no longer exists). I personally find the tone of the Privilège too thick and heavy for my taste.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2026-01-27 03:00
Also depends on which Privilege. I remember trying the original Privilege (prior to the "Superman" logo). That was a GREAT horn. I define great as, resonant with great dynamic range from soft to really really loud. At the time I thought this could be a "Buffet killer" (in terms of getting a much larger segment of the market). HOWEVER, Selmer in its infinite wisdom drastically changed the playing characteristics along with the logo.
Too bad
............Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-01-28 16:31
>> Based on my experience with the Muse, I would not consider the Privilege an ideal choice for concert band or wind symphony playing. <<
Having played both, I wouldn't judge the Privilege based on playing a Muse. they are pretty different. Both are good, but I like the Privilege much more.
>> Also depends on which Privilege. I remember trying the original Privilege (prior to the "Superman" logo). That was a GREAT horn. I define great as, resonant with great dynamic range from soft to really really loud. At the time I thought this could be a "Buffet killer" (in terms of getting a much larger segment of the market). HOWEVER, Selmer in its infinite wisdom drastically changed the playing characteristics along with the logo. <<
I've tried both versions and liked both of them, but preferred the newer one.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-01-28 16:42
This is where the whole 'we reserve the right to change the specification' blurb gets messy when making minor mechanical changes or some tuning alterations are one thing, but changing the bore, tonehole layout, bell bore shape and effectively changing the whole characteristics but still retaining the same model name does not equate to it being the same instrument it once was.
If you're going to totally redesign something that's far removed from what it was like originally, it's a totally new instrument and requires a new model name. An easy way around that is to stick a Roman numeral II after the model name and voila - it's the new version of the previous one. Whether or not it's better than the original model is debatable and in some cases the II model isn't.
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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