Knowing your Selmer clarinet's serial number can:
Selmer serial numbers follow a specific pattern, which can help you determine the production date of your clarinet. Here's a general breakdown:
On most Selmer clarinets, the serial number is found in two places to ensure the joints remain a matched set: Stamped near the C#/G# tone hole. Lower Joint: Stamped near the top, just above the tenon. selmer serial numbers clarinet
Unlike some older saxophones, Selmer Paris clarinets usually have the model name (e.g., "Series 9," "10S," "Centered Tone") clearly engraved on the upper joint or bell. Selmer Paris Serial Number Guide
The Selmer Company, a renowned manufacturer of high-quality woodwind and brass instruments, has been producing exceptional clarinets for over a century. One crucial aspect of owning a Selmer clarinet is understanding its serial number, which can provide valuable information about the instrument's production date, model, and authenticity. Knowing your Selmer clarinet's serial number can: Selmer
The serial number on a Selmer clarinet is typically located on the back of the upper joint, near the barrel socket, or on the bell. It may be stamped or engraved and consists of a combination of letters and numbers.
| Serial Number Range | Approx. Year | Notable Clarinet Models Introduced | |-------------------|-------------|-------------------------------------| | 1 – 5,000 | 1900–1905 | Early “Perfect” system clarinets | | 5,001 – 12,000 | 1906–1912 | | | 12,001 – 18,500 | 1913–1918 | WWI era | | 18,501 – 23,000 | 1919–1923 | | | 23,001 – 28,500 | 1924–1928 | | | 28,501 – 35,000 | 1929–1933 | | | 35,001 – 42,000 | 1934–1938 | “Balanced” model (precursor to Series 9) | | 42,001 – 49,500 | 1939–1945 | WWII – production slowed | | 49,501 – 58,000 | 1946–1951 | Post-war revival | | 58,001 – 69,000 | 1952–1957 | | | 69,001 – 81,000 | 1958–1963 | Series 9* (late 1950s) | | 81,001 – 98,000 | 1964–1969 | Series 10G (1968) | | 98,001 – 112,000 | 1970–1974 | Series 10S | | 112,001 – 135,000 | 1975–1980 | | | 135,001 – 160,000 | 1981–1986 | Recital model (1985) | | 160,001 – 190,000 | 1987–1992 | Signature (late 1980s) | | 190,001 – 235,000 | 1993–1999 | | | 235,001 – 285,000 | 2000–2006 | CT (Classic Tradition) 2005 | | 285,001 – 350,000 | 2007–2014 | Presence (2010) | | 350,001 – 400,000+ | 2015–present | Muse, Paris models | Unlike some older saxophones, Selmer Paris clarinets usually
If the clarinet says “Bundy” anywhere, it is 100% Selmer USA, not Paris.
Whether you have inherited an old clarinet, found a potential gem at a pawn shop, or are simply curious about your own instrument, decoding the serial number is the first step in identifying its age and model.