1941 Selmer #520

redblues

this mythical Selmer 500 series thing seems a bit odd, why not the 600 series?
The 607 is aural sex, where does that fit in
And a personal observation, if a guitar has a mahogony anything don't buy it, weak and not good sound wood.

Think i'm with denis on this, give me a 90's Dupont anyday

klaatu

redblues wrote:

And a personal observation, if a guitar has a mahogony anything don't buy it, weak and not good sound wood.

Don't think I'd agree with that. I've got a 50 year old Castelluccia with mahogany back and sides that has an incredible tone - huge dry volume on rhythm and wonderful vintage sound on lead.

redblues wrote:

Think i'm with denis on this, give me a 90's Dupont anyday

... and a 90s Dupont on the way from Michael. I'll let you know if I agree with you on that when it arrives.

redblues

and a 90s Dupont on the way from Michael.

klaatu you must have some inventory at this stage, like Jay Leno and his cars!!

klaatu

redblues wrote:

and a 90s Dupont on the way from Michael.

klaatu you must have some inventory at this stage, like Jay Leno and his cars!!

Oh, it's puny compared to Michael Bauer's collection, or Denis Chang's for that matter. I've got a Rodrigo Shopis, a vintage Castelluccia, the Dupont (awaiting delivery), and a new Shopis being built for June delivery. Plus a '46 Epiphone Triumph, a '66 Martin D28, and a fabulous plastic Maccaferri (now that's something Michael does not have).

rimm

Nothing can top the '58 surely?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-Selmer-Novelec ... 35b001b03f

As an aside, I played the Maccaferi on the HCOD's CD cover-its owned by a mate of Fintons-apart from smelling like an old church and looking cool it sounded rough- big let down. 520 sounds great on the vid though.
8)

Stringswinger

I have played half a dozen Selmers including 520. I have also played half a dozen 90's Duponts including the one I own.

Great guitars all if properly set up.

MichaelHorowitz

redblues wrote:

this mythical Selmer 500 series thing seems a bit odd, why not the 600 series?

That's because Django, Stochelo, and Fappy all played 500 series Selmers. They were built pre-war and are noticeably different in sound and construction than later models. Also, really, really hard to find as not many survived the war. You see mostly 600 series and above for sale. So these 500s ones tend to get more attention. Not that the later ones don't sound great, but it is a different guitar/sound.

And a personal observation, if a guitar has a mahogony anything don't buy it, weak and not good sound wood.

That hasn't been my experience....had many amazing mahogany guitars come through here. This one is just a cannon!

http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/eco ... -2010.html

Think i'm with denis on this, give me a 90's Dupont anyday

Yes, very nice!

sockeye

It's interesting that #520 is described as being both less loud and warmer than the typical Selmer. That's exactly what I would expect a Selmer with solid mahogany b&s to sound like. I think laminated back/sides in general increase attack and overall volume/punchiness at the expense of sustain and warmth.

The clip of Michael playing 520 really does sound great...tonally, it has that 503 magic...

MichaelHorowitz

sockeye wrote:

It's interesting that #520 is described as being both less loud and warmer than the typical Selmer. That's exactly what I would expect a Selmer with solid mahogany b&s to sound like. I think laminated back/sides in general increase attack and overall volume/punchiness at the expense of sustain and warmth.

The clip of Michael playing 520 really does sound great...tonally, it has that 503 magic...

Could be...but I'd say it has way more to do with the top (which is radically different than later models) and the lack of a 5th brace.

Generally, I think too much focus is put on back and sides materials. The top makes a much bigger difference as that is the "engine" so to speak. The back and sides just add a little tonal flavor and looks....