 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kenny1
Date: 2007-03-15 03:31
Hello...
I have a question. I own a Selmer Series 9 clarinet, stamped 'USN Special'
on all of the wooden parts. The original tweed Leblanc case also has 'USN' paint stenciled on it.
What does the 'USN Special' mean? Does this instrument have any special
attributes or options compared to a 'regular' Series 9?
Selmer was no help at all.
Thank you,
kenny1
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2007-03-15 13:17
It might be a property of the "United States Navy" stamp or something to that effect.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: bandman
Date: 2007-03-15 13:11
I agree with crnichols. I have seen many of these instruments over the years. Most of what I have seen are stamped USA, which means Army.
Retired Repairman
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Author: kenny1
Date: 2007-03-16 02:07
Thank you for your replies, I'm still waiting for an answer from Selmer.
I was wondering because as an exserviceman myself I know how the military
likes to shop. I'm just learning how to play it, but I like how it sounds.
I wish I knew how to send photos so I can show you what the stampings look like, they sure look like 'factory' marks to me.
Kenny1
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2007-03-16 11:55
The factory probably did apply the marks. I don't have any military clarinets, but I do own a silver-plated, 1951 Martin "The Martin" ("Committee") tenor saxophone with a U. S. Navy engraving that's clearly a factory engraving, part of the decorative design and have seen a number of other saxophones with what appear to be factory engravings. I've read that the military services ordered instruments in bulk, the same way that music shops would order instruments branded with the store name. The individual musicians could then buy their Navy instruments at a discount below the usual retail--and many soldiers and sailors thus ended up with much better-quality horns than they could have afforded before they joined the service. My Martin and the other Navy instruments I've seen have been excellent quality, so you probably have a nice clarinet there, depending on the condition. The Navy bands are first-rate, professional bands that play many public performances and the people who do the ordering don't buy junk for those musicians.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: kenny1
Date: 2007-03-17 03:09
I managed to include a jpeg of the barrel and part of the upper joint with the
label on it. I was able to find out that it was made in 1960, but that was all.
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Author: kenny1
Date: 2007-03-17 03:13
Attachment: clarinet.jpg (426k)
I managed to include a jpeg of the barrel and part of the upper joint with the
label on it. I wish I could have made the engravings show up a little better in the photo.
I was able to find out that it was made in 1960, but that was all.
I'm enjoying it immensely, but I'm wondering if I should maybe buy a plastic Bundy for practicing instead since I'm afraid of ruining this one.
Thank you,
kenny1
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