The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JoyVS
Date: 2012-02-27 14:14
I wonder if you would be able to help me please. I have bought a used clarinet that is a Selmer with the serial number 246051, which appears to be 1937 vintage. It is inscribed Benny Goodman on the bell.
Does anyone know if Selmer produced a clarinet model with his name already on, or do you think it might be an original signature?
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-02-27 14:44
JoyVS wrote:
> I wonder if you would be able to help me please. I have bought
> a used clarinet that is a Selmer with the serial number 246051,
> which appears to be 1937 vintage. It is inscribed Benny
> Goodman on the bell.
>
> Does anyone know if Selmer produced a clarinet model with his
> name already on, or do you think it might be an original
> signature?
Is this a Selmer Paris, Selmer UK, or Selmer USA instrument? The serial number certainly isn't from Selmer Paris as their serial number scheme typically started with a letter during that period (a 1937 Selmer Paris clarinet would have a serial number starting with "L"). I don't think Selmer USA reached that high a number until the 1990's.
If you can post a photo of the instrument it will clear up a lot of the questions.
Post Edited (2012-02-27 14:45)
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2012-02-27 15:01
Yes, there was such and the bell was inscribed Benny goodman. Offered in 1929, I believe.
richard smith
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Author: JoyVS
Date: 2012-02-27 17:00
Many thanks the answers so far. I seem to have made an error looking up the serial number; I was looking under saxophones instead of clarinets, but the number is as I stated.
Most of the Selmer label is missing so I don't know whether its USA for sure. I will go and take a photo and put it up, as all info will be of interest.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-02-27 18:46
Interesting. From what is left of the brand logo it appears that it was at least sold by Selmer USA as the beginning of the word "Elkhart" is visible. What I find peculiar is that the selmer logo appears to be a decal rather than being stamped or engraved on the bell. I haven't seen that before.
The serial number doesn't match up with any of the Selmer USA numbers I have seen so I wonder if this was a clarinet made by another company and then sold by them.
It's tough to tell from the pictures, but is this clarinet made from wood, plastic, or hard rubber?
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2012-02-27 21:14
for pictures try- selmer benny goodman -and you will find them
richard smith
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-02-27 21:32
That's a Bundy clarinet from the '70s with a fancy transfer (which has rubbed off) and engraving on it. They (Selmer USA) also made flutes that were identical to Bundys, but engraved "James Galway", so probably a promotional model designed to aspire beginners. The serial numbers for Bundy clarinets ran well into the million mark by the mid '80s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2012-02-27 22:42)
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Author: JoyVS
Date: 2012-02-27 21:43
Attachment: Serial 246051.JPG (438k)
Yes, what's left of the Selmer decal appears to be just stuck on and with my best glases on I can now see above Selmer the word M..E BY so that must be MADE BY and above that there's a large capital E but the rest is missing.
The Clarinet appears to be made from plastic and I can't see any other logos on any part.
Here's a photo of the serial number, sorry I couldn't get it in better focus.
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