Used 1953 Selmer Centered Tone A clarinet

1953 Selmer Centered Tone A clarinet

Serial # P6943

Replaced 8 pads, corks, and felt

Photos of the actual instrument 

The 1953 Selmer Paris "Centered Tone" A clarinet is a highly sought-after professional vintage instrument from the "Golden Era" of Selmer manufacturing. While the B♭ model is more common, the A clarinet was produced alongside it as part of orchestral sets.

• Large Bore Design: Known for a wider bore and larger tone holes compared to modern clarinets, which provides a luxurious, full-bodied tone and exceptional projection.
• Material: Constructed from premium black Grenadilla wood with nickel-plated or silver-plated keywork.
• Serial Number Range: A 1953 model typically carries a "P" series prefix (e.g., P3000–P6000), which marks the early production years of the Centered Tone line (1952–1957).
• Unique Mechanics: Often identified by a hexagonal speaker key tube (the register key mechanism).

• Tone Profile: Despite its reputation as a "Jazz" clarinet favored by legends like Benny Goodman, the Centered Tone is noted for its "centered," focused sound that is also well-suited for classical and orchestral work.
• Performance: Players describe it as having effortless playability and the ability to project clearly across all registers, from the lowest notes to the highest.
• Comparison: It is generally considered "fatter and darker" in sound compared to later models like the Selmer Series 10.