 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Barbara
Date: 2011-12-31 02:58
Hi,
I am an adult getting back into playing after years away. My mom just gave me her old Selmer. I took it to the local music shop to see if it was worth restoring, as it is in rough shape after not being maintained or played for 30 years. They were very excited to see it saying it was rare and worth a fair amount when restored. I wasn't sure if they were just trying to get me to pay out the money it would take to fix it up, or if they were genuinely interested in the piece. I, myself, became more curious about it. My mom told me that her parents bought it for her in 1959 and that it had been a pro's instrument, but developed a crack. That crack is worse, but the shop tech thought it could be fixed. It also has many extra keys and is longer than the normal Bflat clarinet. The serial numbers are very faded (possibly B36 on upper joint, and K7 unreadable number then 87) and I have included pictures in case anyone can tell me more about this instrument. Is it what is called a full Boehm? Is it worth putting hundreds of dollars into to repair? It still plays beautifully, even with all the neglect!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-31 03:33
Attachment: selmer ct r4430 001.JPG (775k)
I think if it plays well and you like it, then it's worth having the work done to restore it to top playing condition.
I've just rebuilt a full Boehm Centered Tone for myself which was in a pretty sorry state when I bought it, but it scrubbed up well and I had all the keys silver plated (see attached photo).
Here's a closeup photo of what it looked like before I rebuilt it, although you can't see how dry the wood was from this photo (fortunately it had stainless stell screws): http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/FB/05.jpg
Here's a list of Selmer clarinet serial numbers which should give you an idea when your clarinet was made: http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnSelmerParis.htm
As yours has two different serial numbers, I suspect the top joint was replaced (as they're the ones that often split), so the true serial number is most likely the one on the lower joint.
I play full Boehm Selmers as my main instruments - my main set is a pair of Series 9 full Boehms with 16 years between them (the A is from 1962 and the Bb from 1978):
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/FB/07.jpg
And finally a photo of full Boehms from Selmer, Leblanc and Buffet:
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/FB/01.jpg
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-12-31 13:26)
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2011-12-31 12:56
Thanks, Chris for sharing those terrific pictures. What beautiful horns!
FWIW, Barbara, I'm also returning to the instrument after a long hiatus and have recently purchased a full boehm (mine is a vintage Kohlert) that has been a joy to play. The tone is deeper and darker, and the extra keys make things so much easier. IMO, it's definitely worth the investment to bring the horn back up to snuff.
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Author: Barbara
Date: 2011-12-31 16:02
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for all of the GREAT info and those fabulous pictures and links!!! This is so fascinating to me and I so appreciate the help! I will have it restored and they did recommend silver plating the keys, which I will do!
Thanks again and have Happy New Year!
Barb
PS My pics didn't attach, sorry about that, but it looks exactly like the picture of yours before you restored- right down to the extra key and hole on the upper part of the lower joint!
Post Edited (2011-12-31 16:35)
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Author: Barbara
Date: 2011-12-31 16:06
I'm new to the message board stuff as you can tell. Bradford, thank you too for the info and the support- this definitely helped in making my decision. I am now eager to get it to the shop so I can hurry and get it back!
Thanks again!
Barb
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-31 17:48
There's nothing on the market like these old Selmers, so if you weigh up the cost of a new Selmer (which won't have any extra keywork apart from the LH Ab/Eb lever now) and the cost of a complete rebuild, then a full rebuild will still be way below the cost of a new clarinet which won't have as many gadgets. And better still, this is an instrument you enjoy playing.
While you can buy old Selmers for a few hundred which are in all kinds of condition, that doesn't mean they're not worth spending money on having rebuilt as they're great clarinets and it's a shame for them to end up not being played and enjoyed.
For insurance purposes, insure it for the value of a brand new Selmer.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Barbara
Date: 2012-01-01 17:11
Thank you again! I will do exactly that! I do love to play it!
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