 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steam Clarinet
Date: 2005-07-21 10:51
One of my students has bought a Signature clarinet. Tragically, it's not a Selmer Signature, but a student model. There are no manufacturer's marks anywhere (e.g. nothing on the barrel to reveal who made it); the serial number would suggest it is nevertheless a Selmer instrument from the early 1960s.
I have a hunch that it might be a Bundy instrument, but don't know enough about the history of different models to say for definite. Did Bundy make Signature clarinets as part of their student range in the past? A brief internet search confirms that Signature is one of Bundy's range of mouthpieces.
I await everyone enlightening me!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-21 11:48
Jeez!!!
The Signature Clarinet has the word "Signature" in gold on the upper joint as well as a metal piece at the top joint that says "H. Selmer".
Silver Keys and has the Eb left hand key.
They are truly gorgeous and play as good as they look. Not to be confused at all with the Selmer USA which to me puts out crap - these are from france.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-07-21 12:44
Wood or plastic ?? Is the word Signature on ?only? the mouthpiece, what ser. # does it have and where, ---xxx is OK for us. Does it have any "Made in ------" anywhere. Any special keys beyond the standard 17/6 ? Many makers sold "no-names", so any scraps of info might help, name on case?. Some repairers can identify makers form key structure. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Steam Clarinet
Date: 2005-07-21 16:38
The only mouthpiece in the case was a Rico Royal one. No clues on the case itself.
The instrument itself has just the standard keywork. The only marking anywhere is "Signature Series" written in gold on the bell. The serial number (T16891) is on both the upper and lower joints. As posted earlier, this corresponds to the Selmer serial number range from the early part of the 1960s, but this is the only clue I have to suggest it might be anything to do with Selmer (that, and the fact that their current premium range is called "Signature"). It looks and feels like a wooden instrument, certainly not like the shiny black plastic B&H Regent I learnt on many years ago.
The top of the upper joint trill keys is very angled, something I've not seen before. Some keys appear to be silver, others aren't obviously so, but the whole instrument needs some love - amongst other things, its previous owner wasn't particularly careful with the silver cleaner! That said, it plays very nicely.
Any clues as to the actual manufacturer will be gratefully received, even if it is only to confirm that student has been sold the ultimate duff instrument.
DavidBlumberg - believe me, had it yelled "I am a French Selmer Signature and sell for more money than you're ever likely to have" there would be a Steam Clarinet-shaped hole in my floor where I fainted with delight at holding such an instrument.
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-07-22 21:29
Dear Mr. Blumberg; You should distinguish between the Selmer USA CL series and the B1400 which has only a molded bore (unreamed, uneven, wrinkley) and straight toneholes. The former is pretty good and a little higher pitched than the Vito plastic. Ken, with the large bore Vito V40, no longer made after two years ago
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-22 21:32
not sure what you mean- I didn't name any specific lines, just the brand.
French vs American company and they don't share their technologies (or lack thereof)
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