Hanson SE
Intermediate
Hanson SE
Hanson SE model clarinets easily compare to much more expensive wooden instruments from other makers whilst being a fraction of the price. This price difference is because we only sell our instruments directly so there is no ‘wholesaler markup’. At this price you may expect a mass produced ‘cheap’ wooden clarinet, but that is certainly not the case with the Hanson SE – it is anything but.
Our traditional seasoning process plays a significant role for the wood of an instrument and you will notice immediately this difference in a Hanson clarinet; the natural colours and distinct graining individual to each finished piece exude quality even before a note is played. The Hanson SE is available in seasoned Grenadilla wood, Reinforced Grenadilla, or Ebonite (materials explained below).
The SE Clarinet is aimed at those advancing players looking for an exceptional step-up instrument that can see them through the grades and be played for a long time. As standard, the SE features a traditional ‘French Bore’, which is the best choice as an all-rounder in terms of bore. We believe this offers the player ultimate flexibility with their playing style, as players should be free to explore all genres and styles available to them without limitation.
We take extra efforts to make sure we can give you an instrument that lasts. That’s why we trust only the best of Sheffield’s famous electroplaters to layer precious metals to the keys so that you can be sure they will last for many years, and our advanced materials for the body ensure your Clarinet will stand the test of time.
Specification
Hanson SE
- key: Bb, A
- Body: Grenadilla, Reinforced Grenadilla, Ebonite
- Pitch: 440hz
- Bore: French
- Keys: 17
- Pads: High Quality Italian Leather Pads
- System: Boehm
- Keywork: Sheffield 925 Silver Plated
- Springs: Blue Steel
- Case: High Quality Hanson Case
About the Bore
The complex tapers of the bore will greatly affect the tone of your Clarinet as well as the tuning and the overall playing ‘feel’. This guide aims to help you find your perfect setup by going into the finer details of what the different bores do. Don’t forget to pair your clarinet to a matching design of mouthpiece for best results.
French Bore
- Medium bore (14.7mm) with a polycylindrical shape.
- Bright and focussed sound with excellent intonation.
- A great ‘all-rounder’.
A medium bore (14.7mm) clarinet based on popular designs from predominately French makers of the 20th century. Our ‘French bore’ clarinets have a superb focussed tone quality, somewhat brighter than the English bore instruments. A great ‘all-rounder’ equally at home in the orchestra, wind band, or jazz band for section players or soloists. We choose the French bore for our SE as we believe this offers the player ultimate flexibility with their playing style, as players should be free to explore all genres and styles available to them without limitation.
Famous ‘French bore’ clarinets include the Buffet R13 and Selmer 10G.
FSC Certified
About the Wood
The best material for your clarinet to be made from will depend on what kind of music you play, where you live and play, how you care for your clarinet and of course your preferred look and tone. Hanson were the first makers of woodwind instruments in the world to gain FSC accreditation. We are committed to ethical and responsible work practices and you can be sure that any materials we use are sourced responsible.
Grenadilla
- The traditional choice for quality woodwind instruments.
- Powerful and focussed tone.
- Our naturally seasoned Blackwood (aged up to 14 years) is very stable.
Also known as African Blackwood, MPingo and Dalbergia Melanoxylon – lots of names for the same wood! Depending on which country the harvesters live in the wood will be know by a different name. Grenadilla wood is the traditional material for the finest woodwind instruments. It is very dense and very dark in colour. The latin name gives us a clue that African Blackwood is actually a member of the rosewood family (Dalbergia). It is different from ebony; less brittle and with a more luxuriant finish. The best wood will be free of knots and imperfections and the grain will be straight, close and even. Some makers stain their clarinets to hide imperfections in the wood (they literally fill the knots and ‘paint’ the wood black!), but if you choose a Hanson clarinet you can trust that you will be able to see the grain, true beauty and quality of our wood.
Reinforced Grenadilla
- Guaranteed for life against cracking.
- Excellent full tone and sound with great projection.
- Lighter in weight than standard Grenadilla wood.
Our exclusive African blackwood, fibre and resin composite. Totally stable and guaranteed against cracking or splitting for life even in ‘difficult’ climatic conditions. Extensive testing during years of development make us the only company to offer such a guarantee – this is how confident we are that this material is the real deal. A Reinforced Grenadilla Clarinet will of the player a more focused sound than a standard grenadilla clarinet, and we are often told by players that they feel it is slightly brighter in tone. From the outside it is difficult to tell our Reinforced Grenadilla apart from a normal Blackwood clarinet, however, from the inside you will notice an especially smooth bore, that facilitates greater projection.
Ebonite
- Guaranteed for life against cracking.
- Prized for its rich tone, some say it’s better than grenadilla.
- Lighter in weight than standard wooden Clarinets.
Ebonite is a hard Rubber that is often used as an artificial substitute for Ebony wood. You will often see ABS Clarinets on the market, the fundamental difference between our Ebonite Clarinets and the ABS Plastic Clarinets is that the ABS plastic is generally which is injection moulded to form the body parts, whereas Hanson Ebonite Clarinets are not injection moulded. From a few feet away you would have great difficulty telling apart one of our ebonite or grenadilla clarinets, and is considered to have excellent tonal properties. That’s why it is currently used by all the best mouthpiece makers to make their top professional model pieces.
Spoilt for choice?
The Most Popular SE Setups
Hanson SE French Bore Bb Clarinet – Grenadilla
The Grenadilla is the most popular choice on the SE Clarinet. Grenadilla wood is the traditional material for a Clarinet thanks to its durability, luxuriant finish and focussed tone.
Don’t forget the famous Hanson Warranty. That’s 5 years warranty and 5 years of servicing for free!
Take a look at our online store or book your visit to come and try one for yourself.
Hanson SE Symphony Bore Bb Clarinet – Reinforced Grenadilla
Reinforced Grenadilla is usually an option we see the younger players go for. It is incredibly durable, and so can withstand any knocks and bangs, and it will stand the test of time.
Don’t forget the famous Hanson Warranty. That’s 5 years warranty and 5 years of servicing for free!
Take a look at our online store or book your visit to come and try one for yourself.
The Full Range
Hanson T5
Ease of playing, great tuning and an even tone are the main features of the T5.
Hanson T6
Our best selling professional clarinet that sets new standards in playability.
Hanson T7
The very best wood. The very best finishing. The very best attention to detail.
SE
An intermediate model that is a superb all-rounder, looks fabulous and sounds even better.
RG
Our student model Clarinet – made from a special Reinforced Grenadilla wood.
Plateau
The all new ‘No Squeak’ covered hole Clarinet. Finally an affordable, reliable covered hole Clarinet!
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Marsden
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HD7 6AB
Great Britain
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