 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Richard Feldman
Date: 2001-10-28 17:59
I'm considering purchasing a Selmer C.T. that would seem to have no letter preceeding the 4 digit serial # (34xx). The seller (in Italy) was told that only European/a=443 Selmer clarinets had a letter preceeding the #, and that "American"/A=440 clarinets had no letter designation. I believe this to be incorrect, but am now confused as to what this clarinet really is. The close-up photos indeed show a Selmer C. T. just like all others I've seen w/o the articulated G# in relatively good condition Any thoughts regarding this horn and purchase?
Thanks a lot for any insight,
Rich
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Author: Rhea Jacobs
Date: 2001-10-28 18:42
I'm no expert, but the Selmer Centered-Tone which my parents bought for me in 1959 or so had a letter preceding the serial number (Q-series); it was bought from a U.S. dealer who certainly got it from a U.S. distributor.
Perhaps whoever owns Selmer now has some insight?
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Author: Rob
Date: 2001-10-28 18:56
I do not believe that the seller is correct. However, some older Selmer Paris clarinets do have, in addition to the serial number on the bottom/back of each joint, another number consisting of 4 numerical digits and no letter. It can be found imprinted into the wood., It can be found just to the left of the throat A key, beneath and parallel to the hinge rod for the left-hand rings. I don't know if this practice was still being employed at the time that the CT was being made, but I can tell you it was still being done in the 30s when my Selmer Paris FB was made. Your seller may be of the mistaken impression that the 4 digit number under the hinge rod is the serial number.
It's also possible that the letter wore off. On my old FB, it's only barely readable on the upper joint and completely worn away on the lower joint
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-10-28 19:01
My Selmer C T has ser # P5993, which is dated to 1953 by my listings. I also have P2226 [Sel-Paris, no model designation, I have been told it was purchased in and imported from France, and is prob. a C T] dated to 1952. Hope this may help. Both play very well, I do prefer the 2226. Don
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-10-28 22:06
Seller is incorrect. All "American A=440" have the letter prefix. I don't know where your Italian dealer got this (mis)information.
John
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