Hi all,
after playing a couple of other instruments I decided I want to try the oboe as well. And with a limited budget I got myself a second-hand instrument that someone told me was ok (even though it's a Selmer).

Now, the question is exactly what I've got. :-)

It's a plastic Selmer, as far as I can tell full conservatory, so my initial guess was that it's something similar to a 104B. But it doesn't say so anywhere, only Signet and Soloist on the bell and on the other parts nothing but the serial number (F####).

When checking the Selmer site I find the following keys for 104B: range to low Bb, fork F resonance, Ab-Bb trill, G#-A trill, double ring D#-E and left-hand C-D trill, auxiliary C, double ring B-C# trill, left-hand F key.

I know I have the low Bb, fork F resonance, G#-A trill, double ring D#-E and left-hand C-D trill, auxiliary C and left-hand F key.

That leaves the Ab-Bb trill and double ring B-C# trill.

Are these the same keys as the G#-A trill and double ring D#-E, used differently? If not, where should they be located?

And since there are no Signet models on the Selmer site I assume they are older. What does the labels Signet and Soloist represent, and what should they tell me about the oboe?

From some googling I've noticed that there are Signet soloist oboes with some of the model numbers I've found on the Selmer site, for example 121. But I haven't found any Signet soloist 104B -- just to make life more difficult, I presume. :-)

I'd appreciate it if someone could help clarify these questions.
Thanks.

Apparently, this wasn't the right forum for my questions. Does anyone know any other forum that might be better suited for that kind of questions? (Selmer themselves don't seem too keen on answering questions like that.) Thanks!

I guess not. :-(

Ah well, time to start Googling again.

Try:

www.woodwind.org oboe forum
www.idrs.org forum (non-members - read only)

Thanks, I'll check them out.

I'm probably not going to be much help, because I know very little about your oboe. However, I do have a Selmer Signet Soloist clarinet from about 1977. I am the original owner. It is a wooden clarinet, and in its day, it was considered an upper intermediate clarinet. One of its special features is that it has nickle plated keys, so unlike silver plated keys, the keys on my clarinet have not tarnished, and other than one scratch that someone who I let borrow it during solo and ensemble competition put on it when their clarinet "crashed," the keys look as good today as they did brand new. My Selmer Signet Soloist clarinet has a great, full bodied tone, and I just love it, and it has been well taken care of. I would never part with it. If your oboe is anything like my clarinet, you should be VERY pleased. Hope this helps a little!

IDRS.org forum - I'm not a member, but I have an account...