 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: welshwoman
Date: 2009-09-26 16:49
Years ago when I started as a music major in college (dinosaurs were involved!), my Dad bought me an old Selmer Paris Brevete (#6858) form a guy who played previously with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
I knwo it's not a great horn, but I pulled it out of mothballs las tnight and it sounded really nice. Very dark tone.
Anybody have any info on the year, value, etc....?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-26 17:46
According to the list, it's around 1924-1925.
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnSelmerParis.htm
It's as valuable as you want it to be, though do insure it for the value of a brand new Selmer (although you'll definitely prefer your old one to the new ones).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-09-26 19:52
My best A clarinet is a 1929 Selmer, bearing the initials HS , inter -twined, which I am told indicates that Henri S tuned it. An oldie but a goodie !, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: welshwoman
Date: 2009-09-26 21:18
Apologies for the typos.
Thanks so much. I'm very attached to it as my Dad (great jazz trumpet guy who ended up jamming with Django at Maxim's in Nice during WWII!) passed away in 2005. I read some other posts on other sites and blogs, and it seemed the Brevete got "dissed" a bit as an inferior horn with intonation problems (?). I really love mine. Easy to play. Dark voice. Probably not great for jazz.
Thank so much. BTW, which Selmer Paris (new) value should I insure this oldie for?
I may start playing again!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-26 23:19
The current equivalent model Selmer is most likely the Arthea as that's Selmer's entry level pro clarinet.
Until the Recital was launched, Selmer only made a succession of similarly graded pro level instruments that were available with all manner of keywork configurations, which include the BT, 55, CT, 9/9* 10, 10G, 10S, 10SII and now the Arthea is the current one in this lineage.
All the various keywork options that were available were dropped with the arrival of the 10SII which only had the option of the LH Ab/Eb key as did all other Selmers after that (or the option to have it removable as on the Signature) - so no more full Boehm, Mazzeo and Marchi systems.
The Recital was their first prestige model that was very different to their main pro clarinets (which at the time were the 10S and 10G), and then they offered the intermediate level (and more affordable) Prologue in the late '90s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-09-27 00:01)
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2009-09-26 23:46
Intonation problems? Sure. The lower register is imperfect on a Brevete, flat on E and sharp on A and B. Also the Bb played with the register key is really thin.
Inferior horn? No way. Fantastic horn.
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2009-09-27 00:22
Someone from France help me out here.
I think Brevete on a French instrument (and on any other machine) purely meant that the article incorporates a patent claimed. It was often followed by "SDGD" which stood for Sans garantie du Gouvernement - a disclaimer required by the government of France stating that it does not guarantee enforcement of the claimed patent.
Apparently this was used from the 19th century up to 1968.
So I would think that if your clarinet is known by a model name, it would not be Brevete.
If this was correct, it would be wrong to state that a "Brevete" was an inferior model, as it tells you nothing about the model
Chris
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2009-09-27 01:48
Brevete translates roughly as 'certified' and it did indicate something or another about a patent. I believe what you say about SGDG is correct.
"... it would be wrong to state that a "Brevete" was an inferior model, as it tells you nothing about the model"
It is definitely not the name of a model, but common usage has made "Brevete" the standard way to refer to the old Selmers. Also, except the later ones with K serials and the modern wreath logo, the Brevetes seem to have consistent structural and acoustic characteristics. So when somebody says Selmer Brevete you really do know something about the clarinet.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-09-27 13:45
Essentially correct, fellas, ny Pat Atty friends considered Brevete here [translated as "brief" ] to indicate that a patent application had been filed in France, meaning something like our [no longer used] Patent Pending. SDGB , also FR, means "without government guarantee", perhaps no pre-ex validity [novelty] search having being made. Help, Ken S et al ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-09-27 15:53
In the above, the initials are SGDG, and s Search here for it will produce a FR>Eng translation and other info. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2009-09-27 21:33
Molloy wrote: >Also, except the later ones with K serials and the modern wreath logo, the Brevetes seem to have consistent structural and acoustic characteristics.<
I'd be interested to read more about this. My full Boehm "Brevete" A clarinet has a serial number in the 6900's, I think. Yes, the intonation requires some effort, and I'm not sure if it is mostly because my Bb is polycylindrical and the old Selmer is not or if it is due to tone hole issues. It has a pretty voice, though, and I play it regularly.
Barb
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-09-27 22:22
I believe that the [briefly] later-used term "Depose" , translated as deposit [ed, ing] [fileing] [of patent papers] in the FR PO [I can't search these] avoiding governmental reference. Essentially,to me, warning possible infringers [copiers] of legal action. To me, a case in point are the delays that came about in the adoption of Selmer's sax improvements via the BA's, SBA's, Mark 6and 7's, by most makers. Comments ? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: JulieK
Date: 2014-10-18 06:27
I know this original post is from 2009, but we have just purchased a Selmer Paris Brevete #6863. I really would like to find out what it's worth. It's in remarkable shape for being 90+ years old. Very playable, with new pads and no cracks. Did you happen to find out what yours was worth?
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Author: Pastor Rob
Date: 2014-10-19 17:00
Mine is just a bit newer, 84**. I wouldn't sell mine for $1,000. But I doubt anyone will offer that much. For what it's worth, mine has no intonation issues, but only sounds great with one mpc. I have an old Selmer B* in an oval on the table mpc that Scott Kurtweil refaced for me. I don't play it as much since I picked up a terrific used RC. That clarinet sounds great with just about any mpc.
Pastor Rob Oetman
Leblanc LL (today)
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