[CanuckSaxMan]

Hey all,

I've been trying to date an old Selmer Paris clarinet that I've got. I think it's from the early 70's, maybe late 60's but I can't seem to find any serial codes for the Series 9 models. Does anyone have a resource that lists those specific models? The Conn-Selmer website has absolutely nothing that matches my serial number that lines up from around that time period. It belonged to my dad, he got it in high school which would have been around 40-45 years ago.

 

[dirty]

This chart has been useful for me: https://www.woodwindforum.com/clarinetperfection/selmer-paris/

I was able to date my Selmer Bb and bass clarinets using that chart. Hopefully it's useful for you too.

 

[CanuckSaxMan]

This chart has been useful for me: https://www.woodwindforum.com/clarinetperfection/selmer-paris/

I was able to date my Selmer Bb and bass clarinets using that chart. Hopefully it's useful for you too.

I've seen that chart before, unfortunately the numbers don't line up with the dates and models. The Series 10 came out in 77, but has the same letter code as mine, which is a 9. My serial number starts with a Z, but the digits are 8874 I think.

I know I had contacted Conn-Selmer last year but they never replied to my inquiry.

 

[dirty]

I think the series 9 and 10 overlapped for at least a decade.

Check out this Selmer price list from 1975: https://www.saxophone.org/museum/publications/id/744

On the second page, there are prices for the Series 9, 10 and 10G.

Likewise, this price list from 1979 includes both the 9and 10 models: https://www.saxophone.org/museum/publications/id/457

I am seeing clarinets labeled Series 10 in catalogs at saxophone.org dated as early as 1968. Who knows what availability was like or if official production had yet begun. So there's some conflict between that and the list, but a manufacture date in the late 70's doesn't seem out of the question.

I'd also say that your statement that the Series 10 came out in 1977 would be a big surprise to my 1972 10G!

 

[Douglas Pipher]

I've seen that chart before, unfortunately the numbers don't line up with the dates and models. The Series 10 came out in 77, but has the same letter code as mine, which is a 9. My serial number starts with a Z, but the digits are 8874 I think.

I know I had contacted Conn-Selmer last year but they never replied to my inquiry.

Selmer Clarinet Z 8874 was originally sold to Selmer Canada. It shipped from Paris in February 1978. It is listed in the Selmer Paris archives as a Bb Series 9 with nickel-plated keys.