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🎥 Check out the demo video here: https://youtu.be/k5vPm1ped9U 🎥
🎼 Overview
This is an early H. Selmer Paris Full Boehm Bb clarinet, serial number 13127, dating to approximately 1931–1932. Made in France, it carries the early H. Selmer à Paris / Breveté S.G.D.G. engraving used before the later wreath-style Selmer logo became standard.
Its unlettered serial number, early two-screw thumbrest, factory-installed flush reinforcing band, and complete Full Boehm mechanism are consistent with its early-1930s construction. The clarinet has been fully serviced, regulated, adjusted, thoroughly play-tested, and is ready to play.
I am a professional clarinetist and clarinet technician. Many inexpensive clarinets sold online are listed as-is and may require significant repair work before they are playable. Every clarinet I sell is inspected, serviced, adjusted, play-tested, and ready to play unless clearly noted otherwise. All work performed—and anything else the instrument may need—is detailed in the listing and disclosed before purchase.
Please refer to photos and demo video for detailed cosmetic condition and playability.
🪵 Body & Condition
The clarinet has a wood body with no visible cracks and no evidence of previous crack repairs. It shows normal cosmetic signs of age and use, including finish wear, scratches, small blemishes, and other evidence consistent with a clarinet of this age.
The bore measures approximately 15.0 mm (0.591\"), which is relatively large for a Full Boehm instrument. The original barrel is no longer present. The clarinet is fitted with a 65 mm replacement wood barrel that fits the instrument properly.
The top of the upper joint has a flush factory-installed metal reinforcing band. Selmer used this feature on higher-grade clarinets of the period to strengthen the vulnerable upper-joint area and help prevent cracking. The reinforcing band sits flush with the wood and is part of the original factory construction rather than an aftermarket repair ring.
The clarinet retains an early-style thumbrest mounted with two screws, one above and one below the thumbrest. This mounting style was commonly used during the 1920s and 1930s.
🔧 Pads, Corks & Mechanism
🟤 Primarily fitted with cork pads
🔵 Blue leather pads installed in the lower positions
⭕ Cork pads installed through most of the instrument
🔇 Quieting corks replaced where necessary
🛠️ Key corks replaced where necessary
🧩 Tenon corks replaced where necessary
🪵 Wood body and bore oiled inside and out
⚙️ Mechanism completely regulated, tested, and adjusted
🎶 Instrument thoroughly play-tested
✅ Fully serviced and ready to play
🎥 Check out the demo video here: https://youtu.be/k5vPm1ped9U 🎥
✨ Keys & Hardware
🎹 Complete Full Boehm system
⬇️ Low Eb extension
🔗 Articulated C#/G# mechanism
🖐️ Left-hand Ab/Eb lever
⭕ Seventh ring for forked Eb/Bb fingering
🎼 Expanded lower-joint pinky keywork
🔢 Twenty-key, seven-ring configuration
👍 Early two-screw thumbrest
🛡️ Flush factory-installed upper-joint reinforcing band
✍️ Early H. Selmer à Paris / Breveté S.G.D.G. engraving
🏷️ Unlettered serial number 13127
💼 Case & Accessories
🎵 Used Selmer HS* mouthpiece of unknown vintage included
📅 Mouthpiece appears to be a more recent example rather than one original to the instrument
🔗 Used metal ligature included
🧢 Used metal mouthpiece cap included
✨ Ligature and cap present very well and appear nearly new despite being previously used
🧳 Older modified Protec case included
📐 Case has been modified to accommodate the Full Boehm instrument with the bell installed
🛠️ Case is worn but functional
⚠️ Front accessory pocket is fraying near the zipper
📦 A newer replacement case is recommended for improved protection and regular transport
🧵 Frayed section may be repaired if the buyer prefers to continue using the included case
📝 Additional Notes
Full Boehm clarinets generally have a somewhat darker tonal character, often closer in certain respects to an A clarinet. This Selmer has that slightly darker quality but is more free-blowing than many other Full Boehm clarinets.
It retains the mild resistance characteristic of Full Boehm and A clarinets, giving the instrument a controlled and substantial response without making it feel overly resistant. The clarinet produces a larger tone than expected from a Full Boehm design, with a full lower register, a singing upper register, and a broad, expressive sound throughout the range.
Its complete Full Boehm keywork, early Selmer engraving, unlettered serial number, two-screw thumbrest, factory reinforcing band, relatively large 15.0 mm (0.591\") bore, crack-free body, and strong playing characteristics make it an especially interesting instrument for players, collectors, and musicians interested in early Selmer clarinet development.
⚠️ Disclaimer
📌 As-is sale
🚚 Buyer pays $30 toward shipping
🛡️ All instruments are shipped with insurance and may require a signature upon delivery
🔍 All instruments are inspected and play-tested before shipping
🎛️ It is recommended to have the instrument inspected after shipping, as minor adjustments may be needed
🎶 Additional setup work may be desired for personal playing preferences
🎥 Check out the demo video here: https://youtu.be/k5vPm1ped9U 🎥
