 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ianr
Date: 2007-05-26 23:16
I have a Selmer Sterling Bb clarinet that i've had for 25 years. Its serial number is 4346. Does anyone have any information on it and what its insurance value should be ?
Many Thanks
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2007-06-13 03:49
By sterling, you mean that it is a wooden clarinet with sterling keys (so marked on one or more keys) or do you really mean that you have a metal clarinet. The serial number would be about right for the latter. I will assume the latter since I don't know anything about wooden clarinets.
First, you should know that the clarinet is silver plated over nickel, as were most of the better metal clarinets. Second, is it complete and undamaged? If not, please describe what is missing and damaged.
The early Selmer metal clarinets had single piece barrels. The latter ones, like your's, had fluted barrels that would twist, lengthening or shortening itself. Does this work?
It is standard keywork or does it have the articulated C#/G# key. (You might notice that the C# key is right over the joint between the the two main pieces. That placement was to accomodate the articulated key. That adds slightly to the value. However, if it is full boehn (or albert system, for that matter.) then the value would be a third higher. Bad plating detracts from value.
Is it working? In top playing condition and great plating it would be worth $500 to $900. In easy to restore condition. then $400 to $600.
Of course, you will want to get it into good playing condition and go ahead and use it.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-06-13 06:33
They are goregeous instruments. thin walls, and offset trill key tone holes to dodge water. and a cool tuning barrel that fits very nicely. not sure what the difference between double walled clarinets and single walled clarinets are. jim can you elaboarate between that?
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-06-13 10:43
Selmer Sterling (and Selmer Gold Seal) clarinets were made by Malerne for Selmer London back in the '60s (possibly into the '70s as well), and an equivalent clarinet today would be a Buffet E13.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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