Omar Khalid
The Selmer Signet Soloist is a clarinet made from wood. It is considered a step up from plastic horns and is a good option for beginners and intermediates. The serial number can help determine the date it was made, with lower numbers indicating an older instrument. Selmer Soloist clarinets are available in both new and pre-owned conditions, with the latter being cleaned, adjusted, and sold with a warranty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Wood, composite with a slight wood-grain mold, or plastic |
| Model | Signet Soloist, possibly also Soloist Style |
| Manufacturer | Selmer USA or Selmer Paris |
| Production dates | 1940s to 1990s |
| Serial number | 27288 or possibly starting in the 1950s |
| Price | $799.99 pre-owned |
| Accessories | Case, new mouthpiece, 1-year warranty |
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$30.31 $38.5
What You'll Learn
Selmer USA models
Selmer USA has manufactured clarinets under the Signet brand since the early 1920s, with a break from 1944 to 1946. The company's history dates back to the 1800s, with brothers Alexandre and Henri Selmer graduating from the Conservatoire de Paris. In 1885, Henri began making reeds, mouthpieces, and clarinets in Paris. Alexandre moved to the US and became the principal clarinetist for the Boston Symphony and, later, the New York Philharmonic. He opened a Selmer retail store in downtown New York in 1909, which also offered teaching and repair services.
The early Signet Specials had a guide for the top trill key, which was removed in 1955 but reappeared in 1960. The badge on the 1960 case featured "Selmer" in red letters. By the late 1960s, the case was made of black plastic or fiberglass and had "Signet" in a circle. The Signet line, including the Soloist, uses barrel pivot screws, which allow the keywork to pivot on the exact fit of the barrel screw to the bore of the keywork.
Selmer USA also manufactured Manhatten metal and Manhatten wood clarinets in the 1920s and/or 1930s. During World War II, the import of Selmer Paris instruments was cut off, leading George Bundy to start the Bundy line of student instruments, followed by the Signet intermediate line. Wood Bundys began production in 1941, while plastic Bundys were introduced in 1948.
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Selmer Signet Soloist
The Selmer Signet Soloist is a clarinet made from Grenadilla wood, featuring double-plated chrome keys for durability. It is considered a high-level intermediate instrument and was, at one point, the best clarinet that Selmer USA made. It is ideal for advancing students, professionals, doublers, or casual clarinetists.
The Selmer Signet Soloist is part of the Signet line, which also includes the Signet Special and Signet 100. The Soloist model stands out within this line as it has double-plated chrome keys, which may be a special alloy. The chrome plating is excellent and contributes to the instrument's durability. The Signet line uses barrel pivot screws, which allow for a precise fit of the keywork, enabling the keys to pivot smoothly.
The Selmer Signet Soloist is also distinguished by its thumb hole, which is a screw-in cap. This feature allows technicians to easily align it inside the bore, and the "cap" creates a tight seal. The bore size of the Selmer Signet Soloist is considered medium-large to large, measuring about 14.95-15mm.
The serial numbers on the Selmer Signet Soloist can help determine the age of the instrument. While the exact manufacturing date of a particular clarinet may vary, some sources suggest that a Selmer Signet Soloist with the serial number 25217 may have been produced in the mid-to-late 1950s. Another clarinet with the serial number 27288 is estimated to be from the late 1970s, possibly 1978.
The Selmer Signet Soloist is a durable and well-regarded clarinet, offering a great sound and playing experience for both students and professionals.
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Serial numbers
The Selmer Soloist may have had its own set of serial numbers, possibly starting in the 1950s. The serial number list for the Soloist is no longer available, but one source suggests that a Selmer Signet Soloist with the serial number 27288 was likely made in the late 1970s, perhaps 1978. Another source provides a list of serial numbers and the years they were purchased, which can be seen in the table below:
| Serial Number | Year Purchased |
| --- | --- |
| 13028 | Early 1960 |
| 16228 | ? |
|
| 23824 | ? |
|
| 27882? | ? |
|
| 85703 | 1973 |
| 90276 | ? |
|
| 131482 | ? |
|
|
|
| 203120 | ? |
|
|
| 246815 | ? |
|
| 254954 | ? |
|
| 263889 | 1997 |
| 266510 | 1993 or 1994 |
| 271746 | ? |
The
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Selmer Soloist quality
The Selmer Soloist clarinet is a solid beginner or intermediate wood clarinet, a step up from plastic horns. It is definitely not a beginner clarinet and was, in fact, the top of the Selmer line at the time of its manufacture. It has pro-level intonation and is a pleasure to play. The bore size is about 14.95-15mm, so it is considered a medium-large/large bore clarinet. The Selmer Soloist clarinet also had better plating on the keys and a better grade of wood than the next model down, the Signet Special.
Selmer USA clarinets are listed from the lowest to highest model: Signet 100, Signet Special, and Signet Soloist. The Signet line (Soloist, Special, 100) uses barrel pivot screws. The idea behind the barrel screws is that with an exact fit of the keywork between posts, the keywork would just pivot on the exact fitness of the barrel screw to the bore of the keywork. The Selmer Soloist clarinet is also available as a pre-owned instrument and comes with a case, new mouthpiece, and a 1-year warranty.
Selmer used the name 'Soloist' for a number of different instruments and lines at various price and quality points over its long history. The clarinets made under this moniker within the last decade are of quite good quality. The body is composite with a slight wood-grain mould, but the modern composite material that Selmer uses gives the player a very warm and pleasant tone with the benefit of not having to worry about the body cracking when it comes in from the cold. Each joint has a nickel beauty ring, as does the rim of the bell, giving the instrument a classic look.
The Selmer Soloist mouthpiece is also available for alto saxophone. Inspired by the legendary model made during the 1950s, the Soloist embodies all the qualities that originally made it so successful: a rich, easily modulated sound that remains centred, homogeneous, and warm across the spectrum of playing styles. It delivers a high degree of accuracy, particularly in the attack of the low notes and the highest notes.
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Selmer Soloist maintenance
The Selmer Signet Soloist is a clarinet made of wood, not plastic. It is an upper intermediate clarinet, and was the best clarinet that Selmer USA made at the time.
Maintenance
Selmer clarinets are precious instruments, and regular maintenance is required to preserve their acoustic qualities. Here are some maintenance tips and tasks to keep your Selmer Soloist in good condition:
Cleaning
It is important to keep your clarinet clean. Pre-owned clarinets should be flushed and cleaned before use, and you should ensure that the instrument is regularly cleaned inside and out. A swab can be used to clean the inside of the instrument, and a microfiber cloth can be used to polish the outside.
Cork Grease
Using a cork grease stick, you should grease the corks of your clarinet to ensure that they remain in good condition and do not dry out.
Pads
The pads of your clarinet may need replacing over time. If you are playing outside, avoid using leather pads as these do not fare well in wet weather. Fish skin is another material that does not handle moisture well. Instead, consider investing in Gore-Tex pads, or using cork for the Upper Joint.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece of your clarinet is important, and a good mouthpiece can improve your playing. A Gregory Smith mouthpiece 1+ open is recommended for the Selmer Soloist, as it will help you achieve distinct evenness and near-perfect intonation.
Serial Number
The serial number of your clarinet can help you to identify its age. Lower serial numbers indicate older instruments, while higher serial numbers are more recent. The Selmer Soloist had its own set of serial numbers, which possibly started in the 1950s.
Case
When not in use, keep your clarinet stored in its case to protect it from damage.
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Frequently asked questions
The Selmer Soloist Clarinet is made of wood.
The Selmer Soloist Clarinet is a good choice for beginners and intermediates. It is a step up from plastic horns.
The price of the Selmer Soloist Clarinet ranges from $799.99 to $999.99.
The Selmer Soloist Clarinet has a classic look, with nickel beauty rings on each joint and the rim of the bell. It also has a warm and pleasant tone, and players do not need to worry about the body cracking when it comes in from the cold.
