 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Liz Hust
Date: 1999-12-20 06:01
I recently aquired a Selmer Signet Special for free from my band director, I rescued it from a pile of old insturments. I took it home, took it apart and cleaned it. I don't know anything about clarinets, but upon further investigation I noticed that the pads were quite old and therefore I deducted that the clarinet itself was old. I was wondering if anyone knew how old this clarinet is, or where I could find out. Here are the stats.
Model: Selmer(USA) Signet Special
Type: Wood
Serial Number: 52064
Your help would be MUCH appreciated
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Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-12-20 15:45
Liz Hust wrote:
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I was wondering if anyone knew how old this clarinet is, or where I could find out. Here are the stats.
Model: Selmer(USA) Signet Special
Type: Wood
Serial Number: 52064
Liz-
Age is relative! School instruments usually experience more wear than one owned by an dividual, so yours may be newer than you would think.
I understand the Signet was made in the 60s and 70s timeframe, and probably into the 80s. It was Selmer's intermediate model instrument, and the "Special" was the middle of three Signets. It would be a good choice for a student or amateur musician.
In 1976, I purchased a used Signet Special for $150 in good condition. Today, I believe it would be worth about $250 in good condition with a good case.
The Signet's serial number doesn't fall in the same range as Selmer Pro models or their Bundy line, according to Sneezy's serial number info. Perhaps you can find out more about its exact age by contacting Selmer.
Fred
<A HREF="http://www.dreamnetstudios.com/music/mmb/index.htm">MMB</A>
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Author: Liz Hust
Date: 1999-12-20 20:59
I should have been more specific, the insturment was not a school insturment, it was one that was left by a student after graduating. I play the saxophone, and decided that I would like to learn the clarinet, so I aquired the Signet. The pads were old as far as wear, they were old as far as composition...like I said, I play a sax, and I repair my own insturments and have overhauled a sax or two, and I have never seen that type of pad...it just made me surious as to the age.
Thanks for your help!
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Author: Lelia
Date: 1999-12-21 00:36
I recently bought a wooden Selmer Signet Special at a yard sale. The only previous owner said her parents bought it for her new when she was in high school. (I haven't figured out the age, but judging from *her* apparent age, I think the clarinet must be from around 1970.) She took good care of it, except that she oiled it excessively. Once I sopped out the grease and the dirt the grease attracted, this clarinet turned out to be good enough that I'm now using it as my everyday practice instrument, to save wear and tear on my 1937 Buffet. The Selmer has an unusually loud, strong tone. It would be good for projecting solos with a jazz band.
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Author: Jim
Date: 1999-12-23 04:46
I purchased new a Signet Special in August of 1969. It is serial #72216. I would suspect that yours with a lower # than mine is somewhat older. I used it through college, then gave up playing in 1973 when I didn't have the time. I picked it back up in 1991 and found to my surprise that both the Signet and I still played somewhat well! I now play in a community concert band (in Southern New Jersey) and the Signet had its frist overhaul several years ago. I agree with the other comments that it was never a pro model, but I always found it decent and fun to play. I paid $250, at the time a decent amount of money. (I paid the same for a 1962 Ford Falcon the year before, and $300 for my wife's diamond engagement ring in 1973. Oh, the good old days!) I hope this helps.
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Author: Kurt
Date: 1999-12-26 23:32
I have a Selmer Signet Special I got new in about 1980 as a student (intermediate). Serial number: 151462. It's a great instrument. I had it rebuilt about 2 years ago and the guy at the shot (a clarinetist) said he loved the sound better than his newer professional grade instrument. He seemed to think that better wood was more readily available in times past. Anyway, I love it and use it nearly every day.
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