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re: Vintage Selmer A "Brevete" SGDG

Author: bassclar
Date: 2011-09-14 04:05

I have a pair of full-Boehm, plateau, Selmers. There is a picture at http://bitguru.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/plateau-clarinets/ (click on it for a slightly larger pic).

The key of A one is marked H. SELMER A PARIS, with a lyre-over-winged-globe logo above, an entwined HS below, and BREVETE S.G. D.G. below that. The serial number at the bottom of the lower joint is 2598.

The key of Bb one is marked the same except BREVETE appears without the S.G. D.G. The serial number at the bottom of the upper joint is L845.

The horns are in rough shape. They are not in playable condition. The wood appears dry (to my untrained eye) and there may even be cracks. Unlike Carl's, the keys do not appear to be worn, though of course as plateau models they lack ring keys (except for the LH thumbs). Some of the adjustment screws look rusty.

I would like to get these into playing shape. Is Morrie Backun the right man for the job? Or would someone like Jeremy Soule be a better choice? I know some people think it's a chore to work on plateau instruments, and I'd prefer instead to find someone who might be enthusiastic.

I'm working under the assumption that, even though 1920s/1930s full-Boehm plateau-keyed instruments are extremely rare, they aren't to the extent that overhauling them and playing them would lessen their value. If anyone thinks differently then please let me know before I get much further (but then how would I find another plataeu A clarinet?).

Finally, does anyone have any suggestion for case(s) for these? I fear finding a case that will both hold a full-Boehm-to-low-Eb key-of-A clarinet and that I can afford may be impossible.

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