The Centered Tone (often abbreviated CT) was Selmer Paris’s top professional Bb clarinet model from roughly 1952 into the early 1960s. It features a relatively large bore and large tone holes, producing a free-blowing response, strong projection, and a full, warm, woody, centered tone. It became especially associated with jazz (Benny Goodman was a notable user and endorser) but is also versatile for classical and other styles.

These instruments were built in France from high-quality aged grenadilla wood with nickel- or silver-plated keywork. Later examples in the series (including many R-series instruments) often show a more tapered bore design compared with the earliest cylindrical-bore versions. They are identifiable by features such as the large hexagonal register/speaker key bushing on many examples, and some carry “Centered Tone” engraving.

Dating the Serial Number

Selmer Paris clarinet serial numbers from this era use a letter prefix for the series:

• R series began around R1200 in 1958.
• By early 1959 they had reached around R6100.

R4731 therefore falls solidly in 1958 (mid-to-late in the R-series production for that year). This places it in the later part of the Centered Tone run, shortly before Selmer transitioned toward the Series 9 models in the early 1960s.

Approximate Market Value

Recent asking and sold prices for playable, well-maintained or recently serviced Selmer Paris Centered Tone Bb clarinets (including other R-series examples) typically range from about $1,000–$1,800 USD, with many solid instruments listed or selling in the $1,200–$1,600 range.