For aficionados of unique and historically significant guitars, the Selmer Maccaferri Guitar stands as a testament to innovative design and exceptional craftsmanship. This particular instrument, a pre-production model, represents an exceedingly rare piece of guitar history, predating Selmer’s formal serial numbering system which began at #100. Its scarcity alone makes this Selmer Maccaferri guitar highly sought after by both collectors and discerning players.
These pre-production Selmer Maccaferri guitars, identified by serial numbers below 100, exhibit distinctive characteristics that set them apart. Key features include an engraved bakelite label inside the resonator and a serial number elegantly etched onto the top of the headstock. Furthermore, the headstock proudly displays Maccaferri’s name alongside “PAT. Nº 10.431,” highlighting its patented design. An early “stair stepped” tailpiece, complete with an ebony saddle and tortoise insert, is another hallmark of these models, preceding the later, more commonly seen rounded tailpiece. Notably, while later models often feature fingerboard dots, pre-production models typically did not, though this specific guitar has had inlays and dots added subsequently.
Adding to its uniqueness, this Selmer Maccaferri guitar boasts macassar ebony back and sides. To the best of current knowledge, this makes it the only Selmer guitar ever constructed using this visually striking and tonally rich wood.
Beyond these unique details, this guitar aligns with the specifications of the “Orchestre” model, produced by Selmer from 1932 to 1934. This was before Mario Maccaferri’s departure and the subsequent transitional period that led to the iconic “petite bouche” models Selmer continued to build until 1952. The Orchestre model, also known as the “Jazz” model, achieved legendary status through Django Reinhardt’s groundbreaking recordings with the Quintette du Hot Club de France. It wasn’t just Django; his contemporaries and bandmates like Joseph Reinhardt, Roger Chaput, and Baro Ferret, along with Argentinian guitar virtuoso Oscar Aleman, also extensively utilized the Orchestre model, cementing its place in guitar history.
Pre-war Selmer guitars in any condition are already exceptionally rare. Well-preserved Orchestre models, like this one, are among the most elusive. This particular Selmer Maccaferri guitar is remarkably well-preserved, retaining its internal resonator—a feature often removed from others, and absent in later Orchestre models. It features all original hardware, including a fully functional set of HSC tuners and the rare, early stair-step tailpiece with its tortoise insert. Modifications over its lifespan are limited to banjo-style fingerboard inlays, a refret, and a replaced bridge. A small, stable crack beneath the pickguard, secured by braces and the pickguard itself, and possibly two minor, stable top cracks are also present but do not compromise the instrument’s integrity.
Professionally set up for optimal playability, this Selmer Maccaferri guitar offers an easy, buzz-free playing experience with a low 2.6mm action.
However, the true revelation lies in its sound. The sonic character of this instrument is described as nothing short of extraordinary. Its volume output seems to defy expectations, while the tone is truly dreamlike. This Selmer Maccaferri guitar possesses a rare combination: a lush, rounded tone that is both full and satisfying, yet avoids becoming overly dark or muddy. Chords resonate with an almost symphonic richness, pushing the boundaries of auditory perception. Single note lines evoke the warm, punchy character of a flugelhorn, thick and rounded with remarkable presence. While subjective, the sound quality is confidently asserted to be universally captivating for any guitarist.
Adding to its allure, a rare video exists showcasing a young Bireli Lagrene playing this very Selmer Maccaferri guitar, further attesting to its exceptional quality and provenance.
Considering the market value of well-preserved Maccaferri Orchestre models, often reaching prices around $50,000, this exceptional example represents a significant opportunity to acquire a stellar instrument at a potentially below-market price, making it an attractive proposition for serious collectors and players alike.
