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1950 Selmer Modele Jazz
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SN# 824
Body size at lower bout: 15 3/4" (400mm) Scale length: 26 3/8" (670mm) Nut Width: 1 11/16" (42mm) Neck depth: .93/.96, 1st/10th fret
Materials: Bookmatched solid Alpine spruce soundboard; figured bookmatched Brazilian rosewood laminate back and sides; solid walnut neck; solid ebony fingerboard; rosewood bound body.
Hardware: Original hardware includes gold Selmer tailpiece with Brazilian rosewood inset; gold sealed Selmer tuners with ivoroid keys. Solid compensated ebony bridge.
Notes: Introduced by Selmer of Paris in 1936, the Modele Jazz became the favored instrument of Django Reinhardt himself, and has remained to this day the essential lead instrument in gypsy jazz. Its long 670mm scale and oval 'Petite Bouche' soundhole lends the punch and projection essential to ensemble work, and the extended 14 fret neck improves access to the uppermost fingerboard. With less than 1000 Selmer guitars of all types produced until 1952, originals in good playing condition are rare indeed, given wartime depredations and the rigors of Manouche style play.
This handsome example was sold in Paris in November of 1950 by the music store of Jean Beuscher. Carefully maintained, the instrument retains its original gold hardware and finish, which shows fine age checking in the deeply ambered soundboard. The Brazilian rosewood body shows lovely cafe-au-lait coloration, with a neck of solid black walnut in a comfy, slightly flattened D profile, with a solid ebony fingerboard.
At just 3lb. 13oz. (1.78kg), the guitar is extremely light in weight, and powerfully resonant, with exceptional punch and projection from the finely graduated Alpine spruce soundboard. A few hairline cracks have been soundly cleated and resealed, and a pair of tiny screw holes filled and retouched, presumably where an older Stimer style pickup was once installed.
Apart from a small patch of wear near the solid ebony bridge, the instrument shows remarkably little playwear, and still bears the name of its previous owner, one Hubert Leduc, faintly inscribed near the tailpiece. A remarkable example of the most iconic instrument in gypsy jazz history. Call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge silvered steel strings, and will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.
Case: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
