Woodwind.OrgThe Clarinet BBoardThe C4 standard

 
  BBoard Equipment Study Resources Music General    
 
 New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Help/Rules  |  Smileys/Notes  |  Log In   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 
 inscribed clarinet
Author: JoyVS 
Date:   2012-02-27 14:14

I wonder if you would be able to help me please. I have bought a used clarinet that is a Selmer with the serial number 246051, which appears to be 1937 vintage. It is inscribed Benny Goodman on the bell.

Does anyone know if Selmer produced a clarinet model with his name already on, or do you think it might be an original signature?

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: SteveG_CT 
Date:   2012-02-27 14:44

JoyVS wrote:

> I wonder if you would be able to help me please. I have bought
> a used clarinet that is a Selmer with the serial number 246051,
> which appears to be 1937 vintage. It is inscribed Benny
> Goodman on the bell.
>
> Does anyone know if Selmer produced a clarinet model with his
> name already on, or do you think it might be an original
> signature?

Is this a Selmer Paris, Selmer UK, or Selmer USA instrument? The serial number certainly isn't from Selmer Paris as their serial number scheme typically started with a letter during that period (a 1937 Selmer Paris clarinet would have a serial number starting with "L"). I don't think Selmer USA reached that high a number until the 1990's.

If you can post a photo of the instrument it will clear up a lot of the questions.



Post Edited (2012-02-27 14:45)

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: rtmyth 
Date:   2012-02-27 15:01

Yes, there was such and the bell was inscribed Benny goodman. Offered in 1929, I believe.

richard smith

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: JoyVS 
Date:   2012-02-27 17:00

Many thanks the answers so far. I seem to have made an error looking up the serial number; I was looking under saxophones instead of clarinets, but the number is as I stated.

Most of the Selmer label is missing so I don't know whether its USA for sure. I will go and take a photo and put it up, as all info will be of interest.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: JoyVS 
Date:   2012-02-27 18:10
Attachment:  my clarinet.JPG (107k)
Attachment:  Bell label.JPG (172k)
Attachment:  Bell inscription.JPG (73k)


Here are some photos of my clarinet. I have more shots from different angles if wanted.
Joy

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: SteveG_CT 
Date:   2012-02-27 18:46

Interesting. From what is left of the brand logo it appears that it was at least sold by Selmer USA as the beginning of the word "Elkhart" is visible. What I find peculiar is that the selmer logo appears to be a decal rather than being stamped or engraved on the bell. I haven't seen that before.

The serial number doesn't match up with any of the Selmer USA numbers I have seen so I wonder if this was a clarinet made by another company and then sold by them.

It's tough to tell from the pictures, but is this clarinet made from wood, plastic, or hard rubber?

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2012-02-27 19:50

Please also send a photo of the serial number and also of any logo on the upper front side of the top joint.

It looks like a Bundy. There's good information at http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnSelmerUSA.htm.

One list of serial numbers is at http://musictrader.com/buescher.html, which dates s/n 246051 to 1928. However, see the note at the bottom of http://thesax.info/serials/index.htm#bundy, which says that there were several makers, each of whom would have had its own serial number sequence.

Until we can see the logo, though, everything is pure guesswork.

Ken Shaw

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: rtmyth 
Date:   2012-02-27 21:14

for pictures try- selmer benny goodman -and you will find them

richard smith

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2012-02-27 21:32

That's a Bundy clarinet from the '70s with a fancy transfer (which has rubbed off) and engraving on it. They (Selmer USA) also made flutes that were identical to Bundys, but engraved "James Galway", so probably a promotional model designed to aspire beginners. The serial numbers for Bundy clarinets ran well into the million mark by the mid '80s.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2012-02-27 22:42)

Reply To Message
 
 Re: inscribed clarinet
Author: JoyVS 
Date:   2012-02-27 21:43
Attachment:  Serial 246051.JPG (438k)

Yes, what's left of the Selmer decal appears to be just stuck on and with my best glases on I can now see above Selmer the word M..E BY so that must be MADE BY and above that there's a large capital E but the rest is missing.

The Clarinet appears to be made from plastic and I can't see any other logos on any part.

Here's a photo of the serial number, sorry I couldn't get it in better focus.

Reply To Message
 Avail. Forums  |  Threaded View   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 


 Avail. Forums  |  Need a Login? Register Here 
 User Login
 User Name:
 Password:
 Remember my login:
   
 Forgot Your Password?
Enter your email address or user name below and a new password will be sent to the email address associated with your profile.
Search Woodwind.Org

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages
For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.

 
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org