I have to agree with Buco and Lucky. The headstock looks genuine but not the neck... Weird. This guitar probably has an interesting story that no one will ever know.
I had the good fortune to spend an afternoon playing 163 when it belonged to John Bajo RIP. It's got the double port resonator, very rare. That guitar sounded incredible, but what I remember best was how light it was. It was just light as a feather - one of those guitars you never forget.
It's a shame all you guys in Michigan and Wisconsin never got to meet John, who lived in Richland Center. His collection of old recordings was just amazing - and he bought two of every LP. And he was such a character, too.
I think the question Buco raised above is still relevant - it still looks like an old guitar, which makes the question of what it really is interesting. I don't think this is new guitar that's been distressed, so it could be an old self-build (which can be very good).
Pretty much anyone can make a bridge with a bone saddle. Usually they're too heavy and kill the tone, unless overall weight is not increased. Looks like Hahl's bridge might be narrower than most, but I'm not sure.
I wonder if the body is actually a Selmer body with a new top maybe installed by Castellucia? I know for sure that Dupont re-topped a few guitars in the 90s, but this looks too old for that. The interior appears to be lacquered, something Selmer did and almost no one else ever did. And I think they did make a few mahogany guitars. Maybe it's supposed to remain a mystery...
On the subject of mysteries, has anyone here ever seen a maple d-hole Selmer? It's certain that some were made, but I've never seen even a single modern photograph of one of them.
Comments
Buco, you're trippin'.. 🤣 that label looks like a home print-out
If you google image search "selmer guitar label" one of the first results is a crappy pic of that same label
https://gypsyjazzuk.wordpress.com/gypsy-jazz-uk-home/djangos-birth-and-early-childhood/djangos-selmer/
That's me in this thread.
I have to agree with Buco and Lucky. The headstock looks genuine but not the neck... Weird. This guitar probably has an interesting story that no one will ever know.
I had the good fortune to spend an afternoon playing 163 when it belonged to John Bajo RIP. It's got the double port resonator, very rare. That guitar sounded incredible, but what I remember best was how light it was. It was just light as a feather - one of those guitars you never forget.
It's a shame all you guys in Michigan and Wisconsin never got to meet John, who lived in Richland Center. His collection of old recordings was just amazing - and he bought two of every LP. And he was such a character, too.
I think the question Buco raised above is still relevant - it still looks like an old guitar, which makes the question of what it really is interesting. I don't think this is new guitar that's been distressed, so it could be an old self-build (which can be very good).
I'm thankful to you two rescuing some of my dignity :) I wish the OP could find out more info about its history.
Does anybody knows anything about the luthier who made that super-tall bone-topped bridge? I would love to chat with them 🙏
Hahl makes the bridges with bone, or similar, inserts.
The interior looks like it might be lacquered, is that typical of Selmers?
Does it have an actual heat bent pliage?
Pretty much anyone can make a bridge with a bone saddle. Usually they're too heavy and kill the tone, unless overall weight is not increased. Looks like Hahl's bridge might be narrower than most, but I'm not sure.
I wonder if the body is actually a Selmer body with a new top maybe installed by Castellucia? I know for sure that Dupont re-topped a few guitars in the 90s, but this looks too old for that. The interior appears to be lacquered, something Selmer did and almost no one else ever did. And I think they did make a few mahogany guitars. Maybe it's supposed to remain a mystery...
On the subject of mysteries, has anyone here ever seen a maple d-hole Selmer? It's certain that some were made, but I've never seen even a single modern photograph of one of them.