 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: saxman
Date: 2005-03-29 00:47
I was given an old Selmer Paris Brevete clarinet, it has a serial number of A1310. I would guess it was made prior to the 1920's. Being a saxophone player I know nothing about old clarinets so I am here seeking information from you very knowledgable clarinetists. What I need to know:
1. Any ideas on how old it is?
2. Were these good clarinets? Being a sax man who has a Selmer Paris MKVI alto I wondered if this clarinet was that quality when it was made.
3. Is the horn worth having overhauled ( it is all there and still plays) only has a crack on the bell
4. If it is overhauled how much would it be worth?
Thanks in advance for any information
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-29 19:34
Hi SM - No one seems to have responded to your inquiry, so I'll try, having a couple of older Selmer cls AND a MKVI alto, [what a good sax !] . The most up-to-date listing of ser #s available from the BBoard is now down for revisions, and I cant find my paper copies. That via the Klarinet Pages begins with #s only in the 20's, and the first lettered series is an L, which includes my 1932 RI Selmer. Is there any chance that your Sel-P Brevete[meaning patent {or other} brief] is an A clar ?? [longer], check pitch against a piano. Then your # is placed in the 20's. I have an 8xxx Sel also [about 1925-30?] . Yes they were fine horns, so if your wood etc is in good condition, I'd recommend shopping around for a playing-repair [perhaps full restoration]. Look at EBAY for possible value, my guess would be only a few hundred $s unless somewhat rare, HELP, please, Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-03-29 19:53
Yes, I am also wondering about the A in front of the number. My "Brevete" is pitched in A but does not include that letter in the serial number, 78XX. My Bb is ser# A69XX, but it is a late 1970s 10G. I like my A clarinet pretty well, probably have to nurse the intonation on it a bit more than I would a newer horn, but it's a player. It's not likely to bring a bunch of money for resale, as Don says, but if it's in good shape it would probably be worth fixing up to play.
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Author: saxman
Date: 2005-03-29 20:53
Thanks for all you input. It is a B flat clarinet, I know that because I put it up against my girl's B flat horn. The serial number that I found was on the upper portion of the instrument just above the joint. Any ideas on who would be the most resonable to send it to for overhaul? Thanks again for suffering with a saxophone player.
Steve
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-29 21:18
Hi again , Steve- Each of us has at least one repairer [I count 3-4] we partic. like. I readily suggest "our" Sugarland, TX John Butler , see the two JB's "thread" below [above?] but am sure our Carrollton friend is VG as well. Do you play some [old folks] big band jazz of the 30-50's, G Miller's cl-lead sax section coming to mind, believe he/they played the big bore Selmers of that [and ? your cl's] time period and could be heard !! Also A Shaw, J Dorsey, W Herman et many als, really projected well IMHO, and memories. There are many fine repairers in our BB classified ads as well, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-03-31 13:43
The term "Brevete" is not a model name. It is French for "patent." Instruments with this marking are discussed in the thread at:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=170081&t=170015
I have an Axxxx serial number C clarinet with the same markings as yours. It dates to 1978. I have seen a couple other clarinets with this marking on eBay but they were both Eb piccolo clarinets (eefers). The conclusion I would draw based on the evidence I've seen is that your instrument is a professional-level Selmer clarinet, perhaps made for the European market (or custom-ordered) and not generally distributed in the U.S. in the common Bb and A flavors. The Axxxx serial number would indicate that it was made in the mid- to late-70's. There are some much older Selmer clarinets marked "Brevete" but the ones I've seen also were marked "S.G.D.G" which, taken together, appear to mean something like "patent pending." Their serial numbers generally date them back to the first quarter or third of the 20th century. It doesn't sound to me like this is what you have.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-03-31 17:16
Saxman==any chance you could post a picture of the logo and markings on the upper and/or lower joint? The Selmer logo on my 1920s horn is different than the modern logo on my A series 10G. Also, I seem to recall someone mentioning they had one of these older horns that was not marked S.G.D.G.?
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Author: saxman
Date: 2005-03-31 21:23
HI guys, yes my horn is marked S.G.D.G. it is a much older than the 70's. And yes the marking on the instrument is different from my MKVI sax. It is H. Selmer with an A in the middle and then Paris below. This clarinet is the same physical size as my daughter's B flat clarinet. I will try and post a picture of it for you all to see.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-31 21:56
As the earlier threads will say, SGDG is [in my understanding] the French abbrev. of "without guarantee of government", referring to possible INvalidity of the patent listed, due to their issue without comprehensive searching/application of prior art. This prob dates such to the late 1800s-very early 1900s. France was known as a "publication" country, whereas the US et al were "examination" countries. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: saxman
Date: 2005-04-02 02:49
Thanks Don, I would have guessed that for the age also. Anybody have any experience playing one of these? I am planning on having this axe reconditioned unles somebody can convience me otherwise. Anything special I should have the repair tech do in the overhaul or just the usual things?
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