My 1840s Adler has the crook pad on the bocal on the underside, it's a neat design and I'm guessing that's an idea carried down from Adler to Triebert to other makes later down the road then Henri Selmer. I've been wanting a newer Buffet again, I had one briefly but had to sell it when I was low on money years ago...fun seeing you on here Howard!
To me, the Selmer sounded "thinner" in the upper register and more "stuffy" in the lower. The Buffet sounded more rich throughout. I suspect the Buffet has more harmonics produced.
Thanks for the video! I’m actually wrapping reeds for my old Buffet this moment! I prefer the Buffet. Both instruments sound excellent, but the Buffet seems to have more “character” and presence. If I was watching this video to choose an instrument, for me it would be the Buffet. Bravo as always Howard!
Hi Howard.Long time no see! Very interesting comparison You make the same sound on both (of course it is the sound you have always had in mind) but I felt that the Selmer had a more even tone on the wing joint with a better c sharp, d e flat and e top of the bass clef. You sound great anyway Best as always Martin (Gatt)
I liked the sound of both instruments, the tenor register I think is very similar, the low register of the Selmer has perhaps a slightly larger sound, perhaps due to the metal bending at the bottom. Very nice that you play the Mignone, one of my favourites! I play German system myself but very much like the flexible sound of the upper register on the french bassoon.
The tenor notes sound better focused and also seem to have a more woody character on the Buffet. The Selmer's tenor notes have just a trace of a whine reminiscent of a saxophone. Could this be due to the countersunk note-holes? In the bass notes I hear less difference between the two makes but the Buffet still seems to have the edge over the Selmer.
In general I much prefer the Buffet. The Selmer has a tone that is more powerful, more resonant, and projects better, which in general would seem to make it the better instrument - but to my ears it lacks the personality and warmth of the Buffet. One other particular thing I noted was from 6:40 to 6:55 in the Scheherazade excerpt: the Selmer really seems to have to try hard to get that A4 to speak - on the Buffet it comes out much more smoothly and, while still having a timbre that is different from the notes below it, it matches their sound much more than on the Selmer.
Thank you for your thoughts that's very interesting. I don't really feel like that when I play it but that's why it's great to know what people hear. That A is certainly one of the better notes on the Buffet. I'll be making a video soon with more playing of the two.
The high A is much clearer on the second bassoon in the second Scheherazade. In the first Scheherazade the high A is thin and weak. No offence to you! I think you sound great! Just my observation of the same note on the different instruments.
It's a good question Chris, I don't honestly know. Perhaps someone from France would like to comment? My guess is probably not many, but I know there are a few. As I'm sure you know, Selmer stopped making bassoons in the mid 2000s and the development was taken on by Ducasse. But those bassoons are quite different now to the Selmers that they originated from.
@@MatthewBanks100 Several renowned orchestral players in France and Belgium used to play Selmer bassoons. Among them, Luc Loubry (Brussels) and Philippe Hanon (Orquestre National France). But this info might be outdated
I still think I prefer the sound of the buffet, but maybe I'm biased 😁 Love the drinking game 😆
My 1840s Adler has the crook pad on the bocal on the underside, it's a neat design and I'm guessing that's an idea carried down from Adler to Triebert to other makes later down the road then Henri Selmer. I've been wanting a newer Buffet again, I had one briefly but had to sell it when I was low on money years ago...fun seeing you on here Howard!
To me, the Selmer sounded "thinner" in the upper register and more "stuffy" in the lower. The Buffet sounded more rich throughout. I suspect the Buffet has more harmonics produced.
A fascinating comparison & loved the F1 analogy! Beautiful playing as well to demonstrate.
Howard, just beautiful. I remember the reeds I bought from your father.
Wishing you all the best from the USA
Jim Morgan
Thanks for the video! I’m actually wrapping reeds for my old Buffet this moment! I prefer the Buffet. Both instruments sound excellent, but the Buffet seems to have more “character” and presence. If I was watching this video to choose an instrument, for me it would be the Buffet. Bravo as always Howard!
Lovely sound both instruments, thank you very much for making my day with these short demos!
Marvelous! There is so little info on the selmer!
Hi Howard.Long time no see!
Very interesting comparison
You make the same sound on both (of course it is the sound you have always had in mind) but I felt that the Selmer had a more even tone on the wing joint with a better c sharp, d e flat and e top of the bass clef.
You sound great anyway
Best as always
Martin (Gatt)
my thoughts too, the Buffet is a bit better in the low register, but the Selmer was a bit warmer/sweeter up high
Very nice !
Really interesting to see this comparison. Thank you, Howard!
I liked the sound of both instruments, the tenor register I think is very similar, the low register of the Selmer has perhaps a slightly larger sound, perhaps due to the metal bending at the bottom. Very nice that you play the Mignone, one of my favourites! I play German system myself but very much like the flexible sound of the upper register on the french bassoon.
The tenor notes sound better focused and also seem to have a more woody character on the Buffet. The Selmer's tenor notes have just a trace of a whine reminiscent of a saxophone. Could this be due to the countersunk note-holes?
In the bass notes I hear less difference between the two makes but the Buffet still seems to have the edge over the Selmer.
Always nice to see another one of your videos and to hear you play..
The Buffet sounds best to me. The Selmer sounds closer to a German system.
Selmer has awesome guitars..The basoons must be excellent as well.
In general I much prefer the Buffet. The Selmer has a tone that is more powerful, more resonant, and projects better, which in general would seem to make it the better instrument - but to my ears it lacks the personality and warmth of the Buffet. One other particular thing I noted was from 6:40 to 6:55 in the Scheherazade excerpt: the Selmer really seems to have to try hard to get that A4 to speak - on the Buffet it comes out much more smoothly and, while still having a timbre that is different from the notes below it, it matches their sound much more than on the Selmer.
Thank you for your thoughts that's very interesting. I don't really feel like that when I play it but that's why it's great to know what people hear. That A is certainly one of the better notes on the Buffet. I'll be making a video soon with more playing of the two.
The high A is much clearer on the second bassoon in the second Scheherazade. In the first Scheherazade the high A is thin and weak. No offence to you! I think you sound great! Just my observation of the same note on the different instruments.
@Luc Praslan: I noticed exactly the same thing! See my comment, which I wrote before I read yours.
Are there many people still playing on selmers as far as you know?
It's a good question Chris, I don't honestly know. Perhaps someone from France would like to comment? My guess is probably not many, but I know there are a few. As I'm sure you know, Selmer stopped making bassoons in the mid 2000s and the development was taken on by Ducasse. But those bassoons are quite different now to the Selmers that they originated from.
I know of at least one recent graduate from the Paris Conservatory who plays on a Selmer
@@MatthewBanks100 Several renowned orchestral players in France and Belgium used to play Selmer bassoons. Among them, Luc Loubry (Brussels) and Philippe Hanon (Orquestre National France). But this info might be outdated
I have seen a lot of Selmer players during Read Lyon 2021 european conférence.
I was also Selmer player for few years.
The sound of the selmer is like a German bassoon.
What instrument stand are you using?
It's a bassoon and contra double stand made in the UK by Ian Cuthill.
Take finaly heckel