Selmer Soloist

Serial #P0045476, purchased new in 2007 or 2008. Thanks to Darrel and his son, Miles, for letting me review this, 15Sept2012.

Barrel: 63.5mm

Bore LH joint top: 14.8mm

Bore LH joint at bottom: 14.3mm Definitely poly-cylindrical.

Intonation results taken when playing loud and not lipping. See how to interpret these results on the Model Comparison Page.

For this test, I pulled 1mm and used a tuning ring at the barrel and 1 in the center for this horn. I normally don’t use tuning rings in my tests, but this instrument really needed it.

Intonation summary: This is very good intonation, but there are different trade-offs than with a clarinet which is more in the Buffet/Leblanc tradition. The poly-cylindrical advantage has not been used to the full extent to get chalemeau register C, Bb, and A in tune, but it is nice that low F and E are in tune. Correspondingly, it is nice that the middle B orchestra tuning note will be in tune, although band tuning note C is sharp. It is interesting that they pulled back from a full 15mm bore.Key work quality: The keys are beautiful with their sterling silver plating, however they are not as sturdy and well-designed as Leblanc (which is my favorite).This clarinet is most appropriate for: Anyone, even the most advanced.