If you are looking up a professional clarinet, you are likely looking at the progression through Selmer’s most famous models. Serial numbers are the primary way to distinguish these transitions:
| Serial Number Range | Approximate Year | |---------------------|------------------| | 1 – 1,000 | 1920s–1930 (Centered Tone) | | ~10,000 | 1936 (Radio Improved) | | 15,000 – 20,000 | 1939–1941 (Balanced Action) | | 23,000 – 30,000 | 1947–1950 | | 35,000 – 40,000 | 1953–1955 | | 50,000 – 60,000 | 1960–1964 (Series 9) | | 70,000 – 85,000 | 1968–1973 (Series 10G) | | 100,000 – 120,000 | 1978–1982 | | 150,000 – 180,000 | 1988–1993 | | 200,000+ | 1995 onward |
Need to look up a specific serial number? Visit the Selmer Paris official contact page or post your serial number (e.g., “Selmer Paris 589XX”) on the Clarinet Bulletin Board for crowd-sourced dating. selmer clarinet serial number lookup
These models (Signet Special, Soloist) have their own approximate charts. Signet Special: 1963 (~381,000) to 1983 (~875,000).
A proper lookup requires finding the number in the correct spot. If you are looking up a professional clarinet,
Selmer Paris serial numbers typically use a followed by four digits (e.g., K2500, L5500). Use the Selmer Paris Serial Number Chart at Granlund Woodwind or the official Selmer Paris verify service to confirm authenticity. Year Range Serial Number Prefix Key Models & Events 1922–1931 Plain numbers (approx. 750–15,750) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. 1932–1939 K to M Series Radio Improved, Balanced Tone 1940–1945 M to N Series Production was limited during WWII 1948–1953 P to R Series Super Action 1954–1960 S to U Series Centered Tone, Series 9 1960s–1980s A to E Series Series 9*, Series 10, 10S, 10G Selmer USA (Student/Intermediate Models)
A Selmer clarinet serial number lookup is more art than science—especially for USA models. But by determining whether you have a Selmer Paris or Selmer USA instrument, referencing community-maintained charts, and comparing with era-specific features, you can confidently date your clarinet. For the most accurate results, combine serial number data with physical inspection and expert input from woodwind forums. These models (Signet Special, Soloist) have their own
Finding a is the first step to unlocking its history, age, and value. Because Selmer Paris (professional) and Selmer USA (student/intermediate) use completely different numbering systems, it is vital to identify your instrument correctly first. Where to Find the Serial Number
On most Selmer clarinets, you will find the serial number stamped in these locations: