 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bryanwalker
Date: 2022-04-11 08:34
I am contemplating purchasing a circa 1952 (P series) Selmer Centered Tone Bb clarinet with a full Boehm system with the intent of getting back into playing jazz clarinet (I'm an oboe and former sax player who loves/needs the articulated G#). However, the horn in question has upper and lower joints that have different serial numbers (P17xx that are 24 numbers apart). I am just wondering if this is normal for a horn of this special configuration to have mismatched serial numbers.
Any help/advice is appreciated
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Author: tyleman
Date: 2022-04-11 10:54
The serial numbers obviously should match, so it's NOT normal at all. But - Selmer frequently replaced cracked upper joints. Those instruments generally have a * above the serial number. Perhaps the previous owner had both instruments at one point and replaced a cracked upper joint with another without the crack.
Have you played this clarinet? I guess the bottom line would be if it plays to your satisfaction. If you're on facebook I recently saw a CT full boehm for sale. You might have a look there. Or just keep an eye out for a CT that has the articulated G#, with matching serial numbers.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2022-04-11 18:24
As the numbers are so close, it might be that both instruments were at one time owned by the same band/orchestra/school and the joints got shuffled. It often happens.
Tony F.
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2022-04-11 20:37
The only problem would be the resale value. But if you don't plan to sell it, there would be no problem.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2022-04-11 21:31
ebonite wrote:
"The only problem would be the resale value."
It's hardly a problem at all unless someone's really picky about it. And with the numbers being that close, it's hardly an issue to even warrant devaluing it.
An official replacement top joint with * or ** stamped above the copied serial number is exactly the same thing and in some cases the bores don't even align correctly at the middle. In both cases, neither replacement joint is the original.
The main thing is both joints are for the same model instrument and it plays as well as you'd expect.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2022-04-12 23:58)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2022-04-12 07:25
>> The only problem would be the resale value. But if you don't plan to sell it, there would be no problem. <<
It should have the lower resale value already when he is buying it, so no problem, unless that drop happens specifically for him somehow. Even in the (unlikely) event that this is the case, this model clarinet value varies enough that it's not significant anyway.
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2022-04-17 18:54
I preferred the bore on the later CTs…personal preference. S series and above.
If all you need is the articulated g#, look for a Leblanc Pete Fountain…I saw a reconditioned one for sale at Saxquest.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2022-04-17 22:54
Above the S series, you're already into early Series 9 territory.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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