 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: amaicha1237
Date: 2021-05-05 01:39
Hello! I've been playing on a resonite/plastic Selmer Signet since I started playing (for 8 years now!). I'm in a college wind ensemble now, and I'm looking to get a slight upgrade or back up to my current clarinet (I'm not going to lie, while it still works beautifully it's been abused over the years of marching band, has a crack repair, several chips, and the keys could be in better shape), even if it's not a jump from a beginner clarinet to a professional clarinet since I really only play as a hobby. I found a fully refurbished (repadded, new cork, keys polished, new bore oil, etc) Selmer Signet Special for $250 plus some shipping, and I think that it would be a good introduction to wooden clarinets as well as a slight upgrade from my current clarinet. Any opinions or other suggestions? Again, I definitely don't need a pro-level instrument, but it might be time for me to get something new. Thank you!
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2021-05-05 03:18
yes its a very good clarinet. i spent most of my early career on one as my only clarinet and it served me very well.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2021-05-05 22:50
amaicha1237 wrote:
"... I found a fully refurbished (repadded, new cork, keys polished, new bore oil, etc) Selmer Signet Special..."
Can you try/see the clarinet before you buy it or can you return it?
Since you play in ensemble, tuning is important and many older student clarinets may not tune well.
I would suggest, if you can stretch your budget, to look at Selmer 10 or 10S models- there are professional clarinets, have good tuning and tone. Or Buffet E12.
Shiny keys are less important than good tuning and tone, IMO.
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Author: OldeSkool
Date: 2021-05-05 23:32
My 1966 Selmer Signet Special has better tuning than my Selmer Paris 10G. I still use it occasionally & plays very well. However, I would not buy any used instrument without trying it first.
Bill
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-05-06 00:13
I overhauled a 1970s Signet 100 and also added a LH Ab/Eb lever to it as the owner preferred it over an R13 Prestige he bought in the belief that would have been a better clarinet for him, only to find he much preferred his old Signet but missed the LH Ab/Eb lever the Buffet had.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html/1,5793/P4280003.JPG
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2021-05-06 00:21)
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Author: m1964
Date: 2021-05-06 08:47
OldeSkool wrote:
"My 1966 Selmer Signet Special has better tuning than my Selmer Paris 10G. I still use it occasionally & plays very well. However, I would not buy any used instrument without trying it first."
There are "good" and "bad" instruments in every line; maybe your Signet Special is a good one or Selmer 10 Paris is "not so good".
In my (limited) experience with Buffets, student clarinets did not tune as well and sounded like ''student" clarinets, with flat, boring tone.
The Selmer 10, on the other hand, tunes much better that Buffet E11 or Evette, and has better tone/sound quality.
Again, that's my experience with just a couple of Buffets E11 and a couple of Selmers (CT and 10).
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Author: m1964
Date: 2021-05-06 09:01
Chris P wrote:
"I overhauled a 1970s Signet 100 and also added a LH Ab/Eb lever to it as the owner preferred it over an R13 Prestige he bought in the belief that would have been a better clarinet for him, only to find he much preferred his old Signet but missed the LH Ab/Eb lever the Buffet had."
Chris,
Very nice workmanship!
Did you play the clarinet and, if yes, what was your opinion of it?
I would trust an opinion of a seasoned player regarding a particular instrument, but without knowing how well your customer plays, I don't know if his opinion can be trusted.
I do believe that there are probably "bad" Toscas and Signatures, but my limited experience is that student clarinets are what they are and do not compare favorably to older professional instruments (in decent shape).
Again, there are multiple qualities of an instrument that could change from using a different MP or a ligature.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-05-06 17:50
They play almost like a Selmer Series 10 or similar which I suspect they're based on, but obviously the keywork isn't of the same quality although that can still be made to work well.
The owner still uses the stock barrel and bell with it. He wanted it restored not only because he preferred it over his Buffet and wanted it in top playing form, but also as it has a lot of sentimental value as it was his first wooden clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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