Selmer Petite Bouche #559 from 1942, in exceptional original and preserved condition.
It is very rare to find models pre-dating the interruption of production during the war so well preserved, and yet here is one: completed in the spring of 1942, this guitar reaches us with certainly all the patina and wear of an instrument of its age but surprisingly intact, free of defects or breakage that regularly affect Selmers having spent more than eight decades out in the world! We find all the typical characteristics of the Jazz model with 14 frets and small oval mouth, which will have become over the years practically the only model produced in Mantes-la-Ville where there were previously about ten, terminated one after the other since the departure of Mario Maccaferri and the evolution of musical tastes refocusing on jazz. Finally, the evolution of the Selmer guitar is comparable to that experienced by American guitars in the 1930s, namely the modification of the body/neck joint from the 12th fret to the 14th fret and the increasing of the scale length – through this, it was able to glean new recruits among the ranks of banjoists (remember that the banjo is, before the guitar, the preferred string instrument used in ensembles, dance bands, etc.) by approaching the construction and playing characteristics of the banjo. It is in this form in any case that the Selmer will be eminently championed by Django Reinhardt and his entourage of friends and accompanists, who will make a mainly tacit but nevertheless effective promotion of the Petite Bouche, in their live performances and recordings, giving it the legendary aura that accompanies it to this day.
Coming from the end of what is commonly referred to as the transition period, this instrument is broadly identical to the Selmers produced until the definitive suspension of production around 1951, but has one element of particular interest: like the maple models produced in the series preceding its construction, it has a walnut neck made up of only two pieces – one for the heel and one for the rest of the neck and headstock, while on the majority of Petite Bouche / 14 frets we find a walnut headstock, bringing the number of pieces making up the neck to three. The guitar also has its original tuners and tailpiece stamped with the Henri Selmer brand, as well as its original varnish.
Appraised, prepared and set up for playing in our workshop, this Selmer is perfectly optimised for playing.
Sold in its original case, we also include a modern fitted hardshell case. Accompanied by its certificate of authenticity made by Jérôme Casanova.
HOLD
