Orig. 1932 Selmer Maccaferri Django Guitar-very rare Start Price USD 30,000.00 Current Price USD 30,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, June 29, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 06, 2008 Location Oakland, California See more about 'Orig. 1932 Selmer Maccaferri Django Guitar-very rare' Description Made in 1932, this is one of the first batch of Selmer Maccaferri guitars, which are of course famous for being played by Django Reinhardt. It bears serial number 98. It retains its original tailpiece, which is subtly different than the ones made later. The interior label is also the original version, which is only found on the first batch of guitars. The serial number is stamped on the top of the headstock rather than written on the interior label, once again only found on the first of these. If you have access to François Charles’ fine book on Selmer Maccaferris, there are pictures of all of these features. Unique to this guitar (as far as I know) is the back and sides being made of Macassar Ebony. Mario Maccaferri was hired to produce a line of guitars for Selmer Paris, who were already known as the premier saxophone builders. He set up the workshop and worked on the first instruments, but he and the company came to a parting of the ways shortly thereafter. The guitars were later re-designed (into the petite bouche model), but most of the workmen in the factory were not really guitar builders. Many of the later guitars have clumsy feeling necks, and the super-long scale of the later guitars is uncomfortable for all but the largest handed players. This instrument has a very comfortable feeling (to me) neck and the normal shorter scale of the earlier model. The internal soundbox is undisturbed and intact. It retains its original tuning gears, which work very well indeed (were these the very first enclosed tuners ever?). The fingerboard would originally not have had any inlays at all (another feature of the very first models). Somewhere along its life, someone has installed some inlays clearly inspired by early Martin style 45 inlays. These could of course be removed if not desired…..I need inlays to know where I am on the neck, so I have left them undisturbed. In my opinion, the guitar has either been oversprayed or possibly very well refinished. It looks great, but not entirely original.There is one small top crack coming down from the cutaway towards the soundhole. There is a very thin clear plastic pickguard installed on the top. The central section of the bridge is a replacement. It comes in a Hiscox Liteflite case, which protects it very well. I have played about 10 of these guitars, as well as innumerable copies, and to my ears this is the best sounding I have ever heard. These guitars are becoming virtually impossible to find in any condition at any price. This one is very healthy, plays and sounds great, and costs a lot of money! I’m secure enough about this to offer an unconditional return policy to anyone using Buy It Now, with the buyer of course paying the shipping and insurance both ways.  Let me know if you have any questions. If you live near the San Francisco Bay Area, feel free to come play it. Please also check out my other items for sale on ebay.  Place a Bid!