Known Examples of Selmer-Maccaferri Guitars

Focused on the  D-sound hole “grande bouche” instruments built between 1932-1934.

No: Year Features Last Seen Notes
085 1932 D Hole February 2011

1932 MACCAFERRI D HOLE #85

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

093 1932 D Hole April 2013 Illustrated in the JWC Guitars website Selmer Gallery

“A beautiful, fully intact guitar with resonator and a very rare tailpiece insert,as featured on the pre-100 serial numbered guitars made by Selmer. Purchased in the UK in May 2009 having been in the family in York for 40 years. A beatiful, rich and full sounding Slmer treasure.”

097 1932? D Hole ? Illustrated on p. 80 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition)
098 1932 D Hole May 2021 https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/selmer-98

Listed for sale on djangobooks.com as at March 2018, asking price $35,000, now sold as of  May 2021

099 ? D Hole ? Illustrated on p. 242 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition) as owned by Féré Schedegger.
103 1932? D Hole May 2021 This guitar is featured in the book, The History of the American Guitar by Tony Bacon on pages 88-89

Previously owned by collector Scott Chinery, George Cole and, allegedly, Django’s brother Joseph Reinhardt.  also illustrated in the “sold” section of www.djangobooks.com; presently owned by Michael Bauer; listed for sale on djangobooks.com as at March 2018, asking price $50,000

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/12643/selmer-guitars-background-and-observations

Listed as sold:

https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/selmer-103

126 1933 D hole, no cutaway ? Currently owned by the “Cité de la musique” museum of Paris, France
130` 1932 D Hole May 2021

1932 CONCERT #130

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

132 1932 D Hole Concert model – cutaway plus “classical” bridge for gut stings 2011 Illustrated on p. 58 and 190 (label) of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition),

Auctioned in Vichy, France, on 12 December 2008 according to vichyencheres.wordpress.com/catalogues.

A very similar guitar, dated 1932, no serial number given except that it is the range 100-150, is documented on this 2011 YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcbCfWvpdKE

135 1932 D Hole Hawaiian model, with resonator December 2014 Listed for sale on ebay.com, December 2014. Stated on the DjangoBooks forum to be the instrument played here and posted June 2014:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3OTZxYd1TM&ab_channel=SiccasGuitars

137 1932 D Hole 7-string Hawaiian model, with resonator May 2020 Listed for auction on 16 May 2020, by Vichy Enchères, France, as per full page advert in May/June issue of “Acoustic Guitar” magazine, pre-auction estimate €6,500
142 1932? D Hole March 2011 http://datebrothers.com/selmer/

Owned and played by Ian Date.  Photo uploaded March 2011

150 1932? D Hole, originally 7 string Hawaiian, converted to 6-string December 2013 Auctioned in Vichy, France, on 14 December 2013, according to vichyencheres.wordpress.com/catalogues
152 1932 D Hole, 7 string Hawaiian May 2021

1932 7 STRING HAWAIIAN #152

Listed as sold

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

? 1932 D Hole, 6 string Hawaiian September 2018  for sale at https://palmguitars.com as at September 2018

https://palmguitars.com/guitars/steel-guitars/selmer-_hawaiian-1

“A rare selmer hawaiian guitar in original condition,with internal wooden resonator made in paris in 1932, a superb sounding hawaiian guitar.see pictures for details. the inner resonator, when functioning properly. really adds to the sound! it has .as a slant at each side of the fretboard to facilitate single string playingon the outer strings.”

? 1932? D Hole, originally 7 string Hawaiian with later added cutaway and converted to 6-string May 2021 previously belonging to Francis-Alfred Moerman,

listed and illustrated in the “sold” section:

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

? 1932 D Hole, 12 Fret May 2021 1932 MACCAFERRI 12 FRET D HOLE

listed and illustrated in the “sold” section :

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

162 1932 D Hole 4 string Grand Modèle May 2021

1932 TENOR D HOLE #162

illustrated on p. 92 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition);

listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

163 1932 D Hole May 2021

1932 MACCAFERRI D HOLE #163

 

Believed to have originally belonged to Joseph Reinhardt according to description on www.gypsyguitars.com. listed and illustrated in the “sold” section

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

175 1932? D Hole Orchestre model ? Label illustrated on p. 190 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition)
181 1932 D Hole May 2021  Listed and illustrated as for sale on the Reverb website.

https://reverb.com/item/19599396-selmer-maccaferri-1932-natural

Video of #181 on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/UXqs7_ltWNQ 

197 1932? D hole April 2013 Erroneously given as number 719.   Ser. No. 719 is a later oval hole model illustrated with Nils Solberg in the JWC Guitars “Selmer Gallery” as at April 2013.
199 1932? D Hole 4 string Grand Modèle ? Illustrated on p. 97 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
214 1932? Espagnole model – round hole, no cutaway, gut strings, fixed bridge ?  Illustrated on p. 68 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
216 1932? Espagnole model – round hole, no cutaway, gut strings, fixed bridge October 2016

1932 ESPAGNOLE/CLASSIQUE #216

Listed and illustrated in the “for sale” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as  sold.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

218 1933 D Hole 4 string Grand Modèle, converted to oval-hole 6 string instrument with extended fingerboard by Marco Roccia November 2015 Listed and illustrated in the “for sale” section of the Djangobooks website as at November 2015.

https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/selmer-conversion

219 1933 D Hole 4 string Ténor model May 2021

1933 TENOR #219

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com prior to  January 2019.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

221 1933 D Hole 4 string Ténor model July 2017

1933 TENOR #221

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at April 2013; listed as for sale on www.rfcharle.com as at July 2017

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

226 1933 D Hole 4 string Ténor model May 2021

1932 TENOR #226

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

 

233 1933 D Hole 4 string Ténor model ?

1933 TENOR #233

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at April 2013, currently owned by the “Cité de la musique” museum of Paris, France

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

no label 1933 Round sound-hole with a multicolored rosette Division 3 Possibly a prototype for Eddie Freeman model as shown in contemporary advertisements, no label), c. 1933, description and illustration:

http://www.myjazzhome.com/pricelist.html#EFSelmer

“Selmer Tenor Guitar ca. 1933, excellent (-) condition, non-original hard-shell case

This circa 1933 tenor guitar is quite likely one the earliest Eddie Freeman model Selmer guitars made. It has a round sound-hole with a multicolored rosette. According to François Charle–author of The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars–“..it seems to be one of the prototypes made for Eddie Freeman himself.” It has no label and no Eddie Freeman nameplate. It was restored in the atelier of Maurice Dupont and has several splints and refinished. It has an extremely powerful voice. Sold”

238 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman model May 2021

1933 EDDIE FREEMAN #238

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

241 1933? D Hole 4 string Ténor model ? Illustrated on p. 102 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
248 1933? D Hole) ? Illustrated on p. 91 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition)
252 1933? Round hole, no cutaway, movable bridge + tailpiece ? Illustrated on p. 84 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
253 1933 Eddie Freeman ? Presently owned by UK guitarist Ade Holland….listed in the Selmer Maccaferri guitars book by Francois Charle as 4 cordes.
254 1933 D Hole February 2011

1933 MACCAFERRI D HOLE #254

Previously owned by Louis Gallo, listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

256 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman model converted to 6-string May 2021

1933 E.FREEMAN CONVERSION #256

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

258 1933? D Hole Eddie Freeman model transformed into 6-string ?  Illustrated on p. 199 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition)
261 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman model May 2021

1933 EDDIE FREEMAN #261

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

266 1933 D Hole Orchestre model ?
269 1933 D Hole Orchestre/4-string model converted to 6-string oval-hole by Marco Roccia in the 1960s October 2016 Previously owned by Louis Gallo and then his son Ray Gallo as in this December 2010 YouTube video:

Listed for auction by Gardiner Houlgate here as at October 2016.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/gardiner-houlgate/catalogue-id-srgard10054/lot-6e85c344-5e30-4da7-91a9-a69b010e05ca#lotDetails

271 1933 D Hole Orchestre model with original internal resonator August 2018 Listed for auction by Gardiner Houlgate here as at August 2018, estimate £8,000 – £12,000 (plus buyer’s premium).

https://web.archive.org/web/20171229175355/http://guitar-auctions.co.uk/portfolio-post/lot-17-1933-selmer-orchestra-model-maccaferri-oval-soundhole-jazz-guitar/

272 1933? D Hole June 2014 Presently owned by Paul Vernon Chester (restored by Jeongwoo Cho of JWC guitars), as per this YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF7xBgMTZCY

273 1934? D Hole Eddie Freeman model May 2021 April 2018 at Palm Guitars Amsterdam. “circa 1934”,

https://palmguitars.com/guitars/tenor-guitars/selmer_eddie-freeman-special

275 1932 D Hole Harp guitar with 3 extra bass strings, fixed bridge, gut strings May 2021 Previously owned by Mario Maccaferri and illustrated in the for sale section of www.retrofret.com .

For sale as of May 2021 for $25,000.00

https://www.retrofret.com/product.asp?ProductID=5280

276 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman Division 3 Owned by Brian Vance converted to 6 string by RY Aylward Guitars. “circa 1933”,
277 1933? D Hole Harp guitar with 3 extra bass strings, fixed bridge, gut strings; includes internal resonator December 2008  Illustrated on p. 67 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition),

subsequently auctioned in Vichy, France in 2008 December 12.

278 1933? D Hole Harp guitar with 3 extra bass strings, fixed bridge, gut strings; includes internal resonator ? Illustrated on p. 62 and 67 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition)

Currently owned by the “Cité de la musique” museum of Paris, France.

279 1933 D Hole Harp guitar with 3 extra bass strings, fixed bridge, gut strings; includes internal resonator May 2021 Restored in 2012 by Lukas Milani (illustrated here)

http://www.milaniguitars.com/maccaferri2012.html

Slideshow of the restoration on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/0JFLAbGVDwo 

and subsequently offered for sale via www.vintageandrare.com.

https://www.vintageandrare.com/showroom/product/Selmer-Maccaferri-634

According to the sale listing, this guitar was originally a gift from Maccaferri himself to the highly esteemed French pastry chef P.J. Franchiolo, father of the present vendor.

“This historically important guitar was a gift to my father by Maccaferri when they lived in Paris and where friends. My father was a famous pastry chef in the world (P.J.Franchiolo).  The guitar was restored by master luthier Lukas Milani the work lasted 5 months. American Luthier Lukas Milani is sure that the guitar was the one who used to play by Maccaferri.

Serious inquiries only. Guitar is located in Italy. Local pickup can be arranged. ”

€21,885

281 1934 D Hole ? Owned at one time by UK guitarist Ade Holland and subsequently by Stan Adleman (Stan Gordon).
282 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman model May 2021

1933 EDDIE FREEMAN #282

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

284 1934 D Hole May 2021

1934 GRANDE BOUCHE #284

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

285 1934 D Hole December 2018

1934 12 FRET D HOLE WITH RESONATOR #285

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011; on sale at R.F. Charle (Paris) as at December 2018, price €32,000.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

286 BIS 1934 D Hole May 2021 1934 ORCHESTRE #286 BIS

Listed and illustrated in the “for sale” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at June 2019, price $38,500. Listed as sold as of May 2021

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/instruments/426/

May 2019 Youtube Video

https://youtu.be/FTFhZ-TvsKs 

315 1934? D Hole Eddie Freeman model converted into 6-string ? Illustrated on p. 196 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
317 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman model May 2021

1933 EDDIE FREEMAN #317

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

320 1933 D Hole Eddie Freeman model converted into 6-string April 2013 Illustrated in the JWC Guitars “Selmer Gallery” as at April 2013.

“EDDIE FREEMAN SPECIAL SELMER CONVERSION TO A 12 FRET “D” HOLE GUITAR 26.04.1933 SERIAL NO.320
Posted on March 3, 2012 by admin

Converted in London in 1950’s from a 4-string Eddie Freeman to a 12 fret”D” hole guitar. A very clever conversion saving the Eddie Freeman style head stock and replacing the neck and fretboard. A lovely sounding instrument and easy to play. “

338 1933 D Hole 4 string Eddie Freeman model ? Illustrated on p. 98 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
348 1933? Oval hole ? Illustrated on p. 119 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
350 1934 D Hole May 2021

1934 MACCAFERRI D HOLE #350

Illustrated on p. 145 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition);

Previously owned by Francis-Alfred Moerman, Sarane Ferret’s rhythm guitarist,

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

372 1934 D Hole May 2021

1934 MACCAFERRI D HOLE #372

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

378 1933 D Hole July 2017 Left by Eddy Christiani to the Dutch Hot club de France foundation on his death in 2016; he claimed to have got it from Joseph Reinhardt, trading it for a Gretsch.

Shown on the Eimers Guitars Facebook page, 13 July 2017.

erased serial number 1934 Oval Hole, 12 fret transitional May 2021

1934 (CIRCA) OVAL HOLE

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011;

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

For sale again at DjangoBooks.com (2015)

https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/selmer-transitional-model

391? 1937? ? ? https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/2592/

Original Paris
Selmer Orchestre #391 Made in 1937. Original Tailpiece and Tuners. Body
has some over spray on top. 2 Repaired cracks in top. Original Bridge
and newer bridge.
Incredibly rare piece. Bought in France last year
from player there.Great Gypsy Jazz tone. Back of neck has had finish
removed up to the back of the headstock. Non original
brown Dupont Case. Serial number is #391.

403 ? Oval hole with “transitional” 12-fret neck ? Illustrated on p. 116 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition).
417 1933 D Hole 6 string Hawaïen model, no cutaway December 2008 Illustrated on p. 111 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition),

Auctioned in Vichy, France on 2008 December 12 and illustrated in the catalogues section of vichyencheres.wordpress.com

418 1934 D Hole 7 string Hawaïen model, no cutaway May 2021

1934.(CIRCA) 7 STRING HAWAIIAN #418

Illustrated on p. 106 and p. 111 of “The Story of Selmer Maccaferri Guitars” (English edition);

Listed and illustrated in the “sold” section of www.gypsyguitars.com as at February 2011.

https://gypsyguitars.com/inventory/makers/selmer/best-of

423 ? D hole ? Previously belonged to Nous’che Rosenberg, recently repaired by Leo Eimers. No 423 is currently owned by Velja Mijatovic.

“You won’t easily come across a Maccaferri D sound hole guitar, as they are very rare. Some years ago, I had to do a repair on Maccaferri number 423 owned by Nous’che Rosenberg. During a concert he accidentally bumped the guitar and punched a hole in the side of the guitar (photo mac 423-12). I was able to repair it by pressing it inside out maintaining the original wood. I took some foto’s of the inside of the guitar. Maybe you are wondering where all the dust is coming from? Nous’che explained that he tended to tip off the ashes of his cigarete in the body of the guitar. ‘Keeping it dry inside’ was his motivation.”