 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: MexicanBarbie3
Date: 2010-10-17 04:08
Hey! My name's Val, and I've been a clarinetist for four years, going on my fifth. Over time, my clarinet has become my best friend, and I'm very attached to it. I even personalize it and gave 'her' a name and everything Oh, btw, I'm sixteen years old. This coming year I'm FINALLY getting the clarinet of my choice. I've been narrowing my options down, but now I'm stuck. I wanted a Buffet, but decided against it for a Selmer. However, now I don't know whether I should get a Selmer Signet 100 or a Signet Special. Honestly, I'm just very confused as to which one would be the better choice...soo, thank you in advance!
:)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-10-17 16:49
The Signet 100 was Selmer USA's base model Signet, with the Special being the next step up, with metal caps over the tenon ends, and maybe a little better wood. The 'Soloist' was the top Signet, with better wood and possibly more attention to setup before leaving the factory.
All were basically the same clarinet, most important from your standpoint (since these are 50 yrs. old) would be the condition (plating wear on the most used keys, cracked bell repairs, etc.) and the quality of the (hopefully recent) repad and cork joint work. The plating and finish on earlier wood Selmer Bundy USA (no Signet logo) is very good also, so don't rule these out, but they too would have to be well 'restored' to playable condition.
The sound from these Selmers is very warm and mellow, I think you'll like yours if you get a good one!
Clark G. Sherwood
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dori
Date: 2010-10-18 12:59
FWIW, I purchased my Signet Special in 1970 and have been playing it ever since. It has stood up to a lot of use, and I must admit some abuse, and still plays beautifully.
I could have bought a Signet Soloist and recall the salesman said the extra cost was for an additional layer of plating on the keys and a better case. Why I remember that after all these years - and whether or not we can trust that info from a salesman - I don't know.
From my experience, I can recommend buying a Selmer. Enjoy whichever instrument you choose.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-10-18 13:26
I don't know the exact dates when Selmer was selling the Selmer Signet Special, but they were on the market until much more recently than 50 years ago. I bought a grenadilla Signet Special at an Arlington, Virginia yard sale in the summer of 1999, from the original owner. She said she used it in high school. Since she appeared to be in her 30s, I think that clarinet dates from the mid-1980s. That's an excellent "step-up" model.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-10-18 21:25
Lelia is correct about most Signet Specials being made in the 1970's, 80's and 90's. It's difficult to find good serial # info on Selmer USA clarinets ( the Conn/Selmer site's saxophone #'s cannot be used), but the gentleman at ClarinetPerfection.com has accumulated 30 or so #'s and dates so we can get to the nearest half-decade or so.
Signet and wood Bundy USA clarinet production started shortly after WW2, say 1948, and continued to 1995 or so. Most were sold during the 70's, 80's and 90's. In the 70's and 80's, they came in the square black plastic case. Those in a tan leather case look to be 1960's vintage, barring the obvious, check the ser. # to be sure.
Dori's recollection of thicker plating on Soloists is interesting too, since I've noticed that many Signets and wood Bundys have very thick nickel plate, seems to never wear, even when the brand logos are being worn off the wood!
I have to confess that the main reason I've thought my Signets were from the 50's is the shared post on the A/G# keys. Most makers went to 4 posts around 1950 (for no real reason, as far as I can tell). The Selmer USA clarinets continue to use the 3 post arrangement clear into the 90's, and beyond? Got to give them credit for sticking to their guns. I've always thought the Boosey & Hawkes 4 post arrangement had character too!
Clark G. Sherwood
Post Edited (2010-10-18 21:35)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MexicanBarbie3
Date: 2010-10-22 01:39
In the end, we decided on a wood Selmer Signet 100 :D
I am very excited for my new clarinet. Thank you all so much for caring enough to write me back, I read all of your responses!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: stacyc
Date: 2010-10-29 19:41
Congrats on your decision. I have a Signet Special and love it. I had a Signet soloist years ago and find that my Special plays very close to it. I have also played on a 100 and also liked it. I bought a Buffet E11 (germany) back in the summer and even though I like it, I don't think I will ever favor near as much as my Selmer. My son now has my Signet Special and I am stuck with the Buffet! Enjoy your Selmer!
~~Been playing clarinet 17yrs and counting, now playing with the local community orchestra and now my son has taken on the tradition and I couldn't be more proud!~~
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gwie
Date: 2010-11-01 21:28
A family friend gave me his old Selmer Signet 100 when I was in middle school. That clarinet carried me all the way through high school (and many honor band/orchestra and youth orchestra concerts) and college until I finally saved up to buy a new instrument. It sat in my closet for a number of years, unused.
Today, as a K-12 orchestra director, that same instrument, which I've since cleaned and repadded, is seeing continued life on loan to students.
It may not be worth much, but I still prefer it over some of the new B12's that my students have...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: squeaky
Date: 2010-11-02 00:56
My Selmer Series 9 was in the shop for a long time and I purchased a used Selmer Signet Special as a 'temporary' replacement. I play mostly Dixieland and popular music (as an amateur). To my surprise the Signet Special had such a robust and mellow sound I often go back to it. I have not tried the other Signet models but presume they are similar to mine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark P
Date: 2010-11-02 13:00
I purchased a Signet Soloist at a yard sale and then had it repadded and was really surprised at how well it player. My repairman had called it "just a Bundy with a wood body" and hadn't expected much from it. I have used it as my backup clarinet ever since.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
