Early Selmer Paris clarinets - discussion about the Evolution of vintage Selmer Paris clarinets

A quick discussion about the Evolution of vintage Selmer Paris clarinets from the model 55 to the 1990 models.

[@billducker7404]

Excellent thank you For your interesting information. Selmer make very good Clarinets In the UK they were considered as the Jazz Clarinet so I was amazed many years ago when I heard Paul Harvey a famous English player, teacher and composer play on some Salmer Clarinets I thought Sounded great. Ted Planas the famous woodwind designer considered them to be fine instruments. Since about 1970 buffet of rule the waves in the UK in particular the R13 As Boosey and Hawkes stopped making Their instruments. I still have a pair of there large bore instruments Imperial 1010. And Peter Eaton large bore clarinets. He is the last British clarinet maker. Recently I acquired a b flat Selmer Signature instrument. It’s a fine instrument and Selmer has several new instruments out at half seal challenging Buffet. ?” Beauty is in the ear of the beholder” Sorry thank you for your fine video - may God bless you and yours - Bill - UK

[@gottalovetheknowledge4749]

At one time when the manufacturers only made one professional clarinet (until the 1960s) their instrument was whatever it wanted to be. I can't recall but one of the major US Symphony Orchestras adopted the Selmer CT as their instrument for a while as you either had Buffet or Selmer Paris or Leblanc. Pick one. You can play a Selmer CT in an orchestral setting .. but you have the extra volume if you need it. I love the old 926/1010 and Eaton clarinets. Unfortunately in the US they are not well known.

[@phillipshearman5597]

@@gottalovetheknowledge4749 Hey, I am certainly not the most experience player but the B&H 926 has the sweetest sound I have every played (my B-flat is Full-Boehm and my A sounds clear and sweet like a good B-flat).

[@billducker7404]

Ps loved hearing it again. God bless What do you think of the new Selmer clarinet mouthpieces? Bill. Uk 🇺🇸🇬🇧🎶

[@gottalovetheknowledge4749]

I haven't tried the newer Selmer mouthpieces so I'm not sure on how they vary from previous models.

[@billducker7404]

PS please review The Signature Stephen Williamson and Todd Levy play these instruments beautifully but say They not the easiest of Clarinet supply but have great intonation and projection. Thank you. Bill

[@gottalovetheknowledge4749]

I have a written review of the Selmer Paris Signature available www.woodwindforum.com/clarinetperfection/selmer-paris/#Signature

[@gottalovetheknowledge4749]

I just made a video of the Selmer Signature. Have fun.

[@Zokithedrummer]

Hi can you please tell me which of the new Selmer clarinets is equivalent to the Selmer 10s in bore size thanks

[@gottalovetheknowledge4749]

I haven't had the chance to measure up the current Selmer Paris pro clarinets. But the 10S I think was 14.70mm. The Prologue 14.60mm, Privilege 14.60mm, Presence 14.30mm, Signature 14.50mm . so the Prologue and Privilege has the largest bore of 14.60 to the 10S 14.70mm. But that is just the bore (whether cylindrical or some various taper design). Also whether it has larger tonehole diameters or smaller ones; cylindrical, tapered or hourglass shaped will have a lot to do with how it plays, projects (both for the player and audience). . There is a lot to how a clarinet responds to the player, and how the audience hears it, in regards to the total design of the clarinet not just the bore size. So I recommend go play it, but play it in a room with a lot of soft material so the sound doesn't bounce around and make it seem "louder/larger" than it is.