 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-08-27 13:02
Mark or GBK, if this is not acceptable, I'll be glad to rephrase.
[ As this posting pertains to a question on an unknown instrument marking, it's ok as long as no specific auction links or references are given - GBK ]
Hi,
On a certain auction site recently, I saw a Selmer Series 9** advertised. Having never seen or heard of this model of the venerable Selmer stable, I asked the seller about the designation. An abridged response is below.
“... the two stars are located right above the serial number on the upper joint. And no there is not a star just below the wreath on the upper joint. This instrument with the double * is a select instrument. It was pulled out of the factory test area and designated a ** because it was the best of the best. There are regular series 9 with no star....series 9* and series 9**....The ** was in laymans (sic.) terms a presentation grade instrument.”
Does anyone else, besides the seller, have any knowledge of the 9**? Urban legend? Marketing/pixie dust? It sounds like the upper joint was replaced and the factory added the **. I found that tidbit on
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=177080&t=177080
Your comments/insights on this are appreciated.
HRL
PS I’m very happy with my “non-presentation grade” Series 9* and do not plan to acquire a 9**.
Post Edited (2005-08-27 13:41)
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Author: Fred
Date: 2005-08-27 15:54
The 9* was not a better than average 9; it was a model of its own. And the stars located at the serial number usually represent a replacement joint that was given the same serial number but designated as a replacement by adding a star. Could two stars mean the second replacement?
I don't believe the seller's version at all . . .
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Author: nickma
Date: 2005-08-27 16:56
Two stars above the serial number means that it is a replaced joint, as you suspected, probably as a result of the previous one cracking.
The sellers assertion that it is the 'best of the best' is pure bulls**t, which coincidentally also contains two stars. Pixie dust would be a very sweet way of putting it.
The 9* is a totally different model to the regular wide bore 9, essentially an early narrow bore, very centered, very good intonation, though can be a bit stuffy. When they are good they are excelllent.
Nick
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Author: ghuba
Date: 2005-08-27 17:07
The 9 STAR actually has a five-pointed star below the wreath on the barrel, correct? This is what I have on two Series 9 STAR Selmer Paris Mazzeo clarinets from this era.
I saw the "double star" description on the web site last night and wondered if the seller had been smoking star dust or something.
BTW, the two 9 STARs I have are really excellent, although these are a little specialized with the Mazzeo mechanism and reportedly a slightly different register key hole.
George
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-08-27 17:15
George,
Yes, the 9* has the * just below the wreath. My 9* is my backup clarinet and it really plays great. I like it better than my Selmer 9 (the bigger bore version).
HRL
BTW The seller stated that he has been selling vintage clarinets for over 16 years and that the 9** is very rare.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-08-27 18:23
My fine Selmer-Paris CT, P970X [on both joints], has, on it's U J, a * over the ser #, which I have attributed to a likely replacement U J. No 9 tho ! Should I conclude anything else ? Its bell includes New York and Elkhart ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Joe B
Date: 2005-08-27 19:51
I also have a CT model with a (*) over the serial number of th UJ which I was told meant the UJ had been replaced. I had a Series 9 which had (**) over the serial number and I was trying to find out if that meant the upper joint was replaced twice. I have heard that one (*) meant it was replaced under warranty and two (**) out of warranty. I could not find anyone to validate that to be true.
Joe
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2005-08-27 23:10
Hank,
The previous posts are correct, the ** denotes a replacement joint and the seller, although well intentioned as they may be, is probably repeating false information that someone else has given them. It may be a good clarinet, or not.
jbutler
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