Selmer Muse Bb/A Clarinet - EVO
Selmer Muse Bb/A Clarinet - EVO
The Selmer Muse is a shiny new addition to the Selmer Paris lineup, launched in 2022. The development team included members of orchestras from around the world, alongside Selmer's instrument designers. They took over 4 years developing the Muse to address some nagging issues that still plague all clarinets: intonation, ergonomics and reliability over time.
The newly-designed bore of the Muse creates a sound that I would describe as "Milky, but with projection" — though I guess that pretty much describes every infant I've ever met.
In terms of ergonomics, the Selmer Muse features a redesigned keywork system that enhances playability and comfort. The placement and shape of keys are optimized — no tendonitis factory here — reducing fatigue and promoting a more natural hand position. From my own experience, this is true. I have big hands, and I randomly hit fork keys all the time. In fact, I usually have to re-record the demo videos I make a few times because of this. With the Muse, I literally did all of them in one take. Katherine has thin fingers and feels like it's more comfortable too. So I guess all the marketing is true. Way to not lie to us, Selmer!
The Muse also comes with Selmer's EVOLUTION system — a resin lining in the upper joint that prevents cracking without changing the sound. (I've played EVOLUTION and non-EVOLUTION Selmers side by side. I couldn't tell the difference.) Selmer backs this with a 10-year warranty on the upper joint, which is... a lot of confidence.
The 19-key version includes a low E/F correction key — one thumb vent that fixes both notes. And the dashboard data backs it up: low E sits at +2¢ (basically centered), low F at -9¢. On most clarinets, those notes run -15 to -25¢ flat. If you've ever sat in an orchestra and winced at the chalumeau, this is the fix. Dashboard data also shows the tightest 12ths of any Selmer I've tested.
Resistance: 6/10, Medium
In general, added resistance in a clarinet design usually keeps the louder dynamic ranges from spreading; the clarinet "holds its core" and focus, but will provide a smaller dynamic range (on both ends, loud and soft) and smaller color palette. A less resistant clarinet typically provides a much wider tonal palette to choose from, but will require more control from the player to control pitch and sound consistency.
When listening for how a clarinet responds to added air pressure and embouchure control, listen to the Weber example (wide dynamic range and color range), then the Berlioz excerpt (wide dynamic range, but narrow color range), and finally the Gershwin excerpt (narrow dynamic range and narrow color range). You will hear how these clarinets respond — for better or worse! — to my input as a clarinet player.
NEW!
View & compare detailed tuning, articulation and timbre data for every clarinet we carry.
-
64 & 65 mm barrels
-
14.6mm bore
(cylindrical section)
-
Silver and matte black chrome-plated
-
Gore-Tex, leather and cork pads
-
Silver-plated ergonomic keywork with adjustable thumb rest
-
Embedded EVOLUTION system
(10-year warranty on upper joint)
-
PRiSMe case
(Bb single; A double)
FAQ
EVO is Selmer's new method of reducing upper-joint cracking. Here's what it is, and what they do to achieve this feat (which results in a 10-year warranty. Holy crap!)
The Selmer EVOLUTION system (or "EVO" to us cool kids) is a manufacturing process used on Selmer's pro model clarinets that stabilizes the instrument without changing its sound. During production, a BPA-free resin is integrated into the upper half of the bore, making the clarinet more resistant to cracking and less sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Because the resin conducts heat better than wood, the instrument warms up and reaches pitch more quickly, which is especially useful when switching between Bb and A clarinets. Blind tests — and my personal experiences — have shown no difference in tone compared to traditional all-wood models, so you get the same sound but it's much more reliable. No, I still wouldn't take it out marching in sub-zero weather, because why tempt fate? EVO clarinets are marked with a small star (★) near the serial number, so you can verify yours is (or isn't) an EVO clarinet.
B-Stock instruments are clarinets that Selmer offers to dealers at a discount. They end up in B-Stock for benign reasons.
Sometimes an instrument went out on trial to a professional player and wasn’t chosen. Sometimes it was displayed at a trade show and the case picked up a scuff during repacking.
B-Stock clarinets do not have mechanical or structural issues. They’re brand new and come with the full Selmer warranty.
I spend a lot of time shopping Selmer’s B-Stock aisle because it lets me buy great instruments at a discount—and pass that savings along to you. As with every clarinet I sell, each one is inspected, set up, and play-tested by me before it ships.
B-Stock instruments are a great value and tend to move quickly.
You won’t always see one listed, but I try to keep one around when I can.
Short answer: All earspasm instruments come with a 7-day trial. Please read my trial policy before pulling out that credit card.
Medium answer: You have 7 days from the date of receipt to try the clarinet. If you don't like it, that's fine (my feelings aren't hurt!) — just let me know and I will send you a return label. Box it all up and send it back. We keep 5% to cover credit card transaction fees and a (hopefully!) brief round trip back to Miles or John — my technicians — to do a reset on the horn.
Long answer: Read my trial policy :)
Yes, it comes with the Buffet warranty against cracks, etc. If you ever have any problem with the instrument, I’m your quarterback. I’ll take care of the whole process, just let me know you need help, and I’ll take it from there.
Inspect the package before you sign off at delivery! If there are any issues resulting from shipping, we have taken out an insurance policy to cover damage (and loss). But we need you to document this damage or we can't do anything to help. Please read my trial policy for how to handle this issue, should it arise.
Not if you live in the Continental US! Because I want you to find the right instrument for you, and doing so online is harder than doing so in-person, I will cover the return shipping. Please read my trial policy for trial and return rules.
Yes. You can add your shipping address when checking out to see what the shipping costs will be before taking the plunge. Note that VAT and Customs Duties are not included in this cost.
Contact me to set up an appointment, and let's do it!
Não foi possível carregar a disponibilidade de retirada.
