C Melody Saxophone Forum

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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / 1923 Selmer Modele 22

Djangette
User ID: 0916684 Mar 12th 3:41 PM
Can anyone provide further info/guidance re this instrument?

It's marked on side of the bell under flourishing signature of H. Selmer 'Place Dancourt <lyre logo> H. Selmer a Paris <H on S logo> Modele 22 No. 1558' - looked up serial number and it's for 1923, which accords with what I would have guessed from the Deco styling (classical engraving round collars and stylised decoration at bottom of instrument and where some bits join.

Well, it's a player - pads were a bit sticky, but that's solved; all pads/mechanics and corking fine (been tested by sax player friend) - it was missing screw to tighten collar to hold crook firmly, that was replaced by screw from antique clarinet ligature and looks and works fine. It has a device which, I presume, is for holding 'harp' to hold music while marching.

It plays sweet and true, but the problem is someone has tried removing silver plate from bell to reveal brass beneath on a section of the bell - this could have been very effective (contrasting between the silver of the keys and decoration and the brass) had they not done a very good job on inner curve! :( Grrr

Currently it's in soft gig case, but I might be able to find vintage tenor case that might do for it.

Will be grateful if any experts could add any further info pending its being ebayed. Also grateful for any advice as to where I should pitch start price.

Thanks in advance :-)

alan (uk) '08
User ID: 1278884 Mar 12th 8:01 PM
You could always say "As played by Dave Pietro..."

http://cmelodysax.co.uk/wpblog/?p=73

(hit the black 'home' button - top right - if you want to look around...)

alan (uk) '08
User ID: 1278884 Mar 13th 11:29 AM
Djangette - Your forthcoming sale has spurred me on to put a Modele 22 page in my 'Model info' section. I'd love to also have some pics of Capn Muggles later Selmer C-Mel, but I think he's a little shy about it (hint, hint, hint, hint...)

Sadly I've very little info on the Modele 22... Except that Dave Pietro AND Scott Robinson play them, and you can hear samples of their sounds on my site. Free of charge...

I know you probably don't think so, but that was agood price for the Thibouville-Whatsit-Thingy, I'm seriously thinking about starting to sell C-Mels on ebay again !

You could start the Modele 22 a little hugher, but lower starts do draw the bidders in....

alan (uk) '08
User ID: 1278884 Mar 13th 11:33 AM
By the way, I don't think for a second that you're really a "Blonde/confused/asking silly questions" - I think you're pretty shrewd, doing your research first.

Just where do you come across these saxes ? They aren't exactly commonplace. Email me if you don't want to answer in public - alan@cmelodysax.co.uk

jazzbug1 2008
User ID: 0735934 Mar 13th 11:35 AM
The Selmers from the 1920s-- mid 30s tend to be small bore and designed for more of a concert sound. It wasn't until the Balanced Action model (1937?) that they made a big sound. If you want to play jazz, you should look into aggressive mouthpieces, such as the Aquilasax metal. Your horn will sound very sweet and proper with a classic mouthpiece. Rudy Wiedoeft used a Selmer C Melody after the mid 1920s. Good Luck!

alan (uk) '08
User ID: 1278884 Mar 13th 1:19 PM
jb1 - I wouldn't quite put the Aquilasax metal into the 'aggressive' category... It has a round chamber, smuch the same as standard mouthpieces, no baffle.

But then I s'pose there's aggressive, and AGGRESSIVE !

Djangette
User ID: 9216993 Mar 13th 2:40 PM
Hi Chaps,

Thanks for the info and am going to check out Alan's Link.

Really I'm not dissatisfied with the Thibouville Lamy price and seems like I got start price about right.

Oh, it's long story Alan - will send you story on direct email tomorrow (haha at being 'uncommon' lol).

Well it's pretty sax, shame about the damage to finish :( never mind.

Thanks again :)

Djangette User ID: 0916684	Mar 12th 3:41 PM Can anyone provide further info/guidance re this instrument? It's marked on side of the bell under flourishing signature of H. Selmer 'Place Dancourt <lyre logo> H. Selmer a Paris <H on S logo> Modele 22 No. 1558' - looked up serial number and it's for 1923, which accords with what I would have guessed from the Deco styling (classical engraving round collars and stylised decoration at bottom of instrument and where some bits join. Well, it's a player - pads were a bit sticky, but that's solved; all pads/mechanics and corking fine (been tested by sax player friend) - it was missing screw to tighten collar to hold crook firmly, that was replaced by screw from antique clarinet ligature and looks and works fine. It has a device which, I presume, is for holding 'harp' to hold music while marching. It plays sweet and true, but the problem is someone has tried removing silver plate from bell to reveal brass beneath on a section of the bell - this could have been very effective (contrasting between the silver of the keys and decoration and the brass) had they not done a very good job on inner curve! :( Grrr Currently it's in soft gig case, but I might be able to find vintage tenor case that might do for it. Will be grateful if any experts could add any further info pending its being ebayed. Also grateful for any advice as to where I should pitch start price. Thanks in advance :-)
alan (uk) '08 User ID: 1278884	Mar 12th 8:01 PM You could always say "As played by Dave Pietro..." http://cmelodysax.co.uk/wpblog/?p=73 (hit the black 'home' button - top right - if you want to look around...)
alan (uk) '08 User ID: 1278884	Mar 13th 11:29 AM Djangette - Your forthcoming sale has spurred me on to put a Modele 22 page in my 'Model info' section. I'd love to also have some pics of Capn Muggles later Selmer C-Mel, but I think he's a little shy about it (hint, hint, hint, hint...) Sadly I've very little info on the Modele 22... Except that Dave Pietro AND Scott Robinson play them, and you can hear samples of their sounds on my site. Free of charge... I know you probably don't think so, but that was agood price for the Thibouville-Whatsit-Thingy, I'm seriously thinking about starting to sell C-Mels on ebay again ! You could start the Modele 22 a little hugher, but lower starts do draw the bidders in....
alan (uk) '08 User ID: 1278884	Mar 13th 11:33 AM By the way, I don't think for a second that you're really a "Blonde/confused/asking silly questions" - I think you're pretty shrewd, doing your research first. Just where do you come across these saxes ? They aren't exactly commonplace. Email me if you don't want to answer in public - alan@cmelodysax.co.uk
jazzbug1 2008 User ID: 0735934	Mar 13th 11:35 AM The Selmers from the 1920s-- mid 30s tend to be small bore and designed for more of a concert sound. It wasn't until the Balanced Action model (1937?) that they made a big sound. If you want to play jazz, you should look into aggressive mouthpieces, such as the Aquilasax metal. Your horn will sound very sweet and proper with a classic mouthpiece. Rudy Wiedoeft used a Selmer C Melody after the mid 1920s. Good Luck!
alan (uk) '08 User ID: 1278884	Mar 13th 1:19 PM jb1 - I wouldn't quite put the Aquilasax metal into the 'aggressive' category... It has a round chamber, smuch the same as standard mouthpieces, no baffle. But then I s'pose there's aggressive, and AGGRESSIVE !
Djangette User ID: 9216993	Mar 13th 2:40 PM Hi Chaps, Thanks for the info and am going to check out Alan's Link. Really I'm not dissatisfied with the Thibouville Lamy price and seems like I got start price about right. Oh, it's long story Alan - will send you story on direct email tomorrow (haha at being 'uncommon' lol). Well it's pretty sax, shame about the damage to finish :( never mind. Thanks again :)