Selmer Basset Horn F (21 Keys)

A Rare Instrument at the Heart of the Henri SELMER Paris Tradition

Henri SELMER Paris has been designing instruments in France for over a century, in its workshops in Mantes-la-Ville. This manufacturing excellence, driven equally by musicians and craftsmen, is fully embodied in this basset horn: an instrument both specialized and essential for tackling the great works of the repertoire.

Immediately associated with Mozart (notably the Requiem ), the basset horn also attracted composers such as Strauss and Massenet. Historically folded in two, it is now established in a straight form, with a metal crook, offering more modern ergonomics and better-controlled projection in contemporary ensembles.

For Which Musicians and Styles?

This basset horn is primarily aimed at advanced clarinetists, orchestral musicians, and chamber musicians seeking a reliable, in-tune, and homogeneous instrument capable of supporting demanding work on nuance and intonation. Its key of F makes it a natural choice whenever the repertoire requires it, but also a unique expressive medium to enrich the timbral palette within the clarinet family.

It is particularly comfortable in classical music (orchestra, opera, sacred music, ensembles) and fits perfectly into contemporary music projects where response precision, register balance, and tuning stability are crucial.

Sound and Design

The grenadilla body promotes a dense and warm timbre, with excellent sustain in the midrange and beautiful depth in the low register. The 15.8 mm bore contributes to overall balance: it helps achieve a solid sound production, clear projection, and appreciable homogeneity during register transitions, essential for an instrument with an extended range.

The silver-plated brass bell adds presence and a clear response in attacks, while maintaining the expected roundness of a basset horn. The silver-plated maillechort keywork, combined with leather pads, ensures airtight precision and playing comfort, while the stainless steel needle springs promote a responsive and consistent mechanism. Finally, the 442 Hz tuning meets the standards frequently encountered in orchestral contexts.

Technical specifications

Level	Professional	System	Boehm
Tone	F	Color	Black
Body material	Grenadilla

Key	F	Bell	silver-plated brass
Bore	15.8 mm	Keywork finish	silver-plated maillechort
Tuning	442 Hz	Pads	leather
Range	extending down to low C	Needle springs	stainless steel