Selmer Oval Variations

The last Selmer is truly spectacular, but I believe the earliest one is the best blank, with the highest potential. Vintage Selmers clarinet mouthpieces are criminally overlooked, and can prove to be colorful, powerful, and efficient players. As Everett Matson proved, with close attention to the baffle (and many other factors of design) any of these Oval Selmer mouthpieces could be made to play to the highest levels. The sound is just the right balance of vintage and modern, and these pieces can encourage the right mechanics, without overwork.

[@DaleFedele]

I should have specified...as you notice, the Oval is missing on the second one too. It was also refaced and a lot of material was removed...to negligible effect of ligature position.

[@johncooney4004]

Surely, if you remove material from the face, and to the extent of removing the oval from it, how could the ligature not fit lower?

[@kevindeibert3369]

I bough my HS** new around 1978 or 9. I just started using it again recently. I’ve also played the Bay O - L and several Vandorens

[@jerrykorten664]

I now have ovals from several periods ( baffles different). Bottom logo pre oval hs* as well ( best material) and post oval hs*. Interesting thing is that the older ones have much more playable baffles. Late hs* models need a lot of baffle work to play well. You should stop by and try them next time you are in the city!

[@robertbigras6550]

Where to you find all the vintage mouthpiece, ligature and clarinet you are showing ?

[@DaleFedele]

*read in Morgan Freeman's voice* "Around..."

[@travlak]

Speaking as a relative beginner: is there any way to clean the terrible taste and smell from old (and some not-so-old) hard rubber mouthpieces?