Selmer/Paris C-Melody horns, when did they stop?

[AMASAX]

Am wondering about when & what model Selmer Paris stopped making C-melody horns. I know they made 'em into the 1930s, appearing to me to be the 'New Large Bore' model, or maybe very, very early Super Sax design. I have a 1935 Selmer catalog introducing the new 'Balanced Action' horns, but by this time they'd quit posting pics of C-melody horns, and just had a line item about contacting Selmer for availability.

Anyone know for sure if Selmer every made a true Balanced Action C-melody, or did they just continue with the older/earlier design.

Also, has anyone ever seen a Radio Improved model, or maybe a true Cigar Cutter version?

My best guess is that C-melody horns were probably available until a bit after WWII, but i don't have a clue how far along they updated the tooling & designs on these babies.

[bruce bailey]

Only a guess - I think they probably kept them in the catalog and when someone wanted one, they built up a model 26. Being that the C Melody was falling out of fashion by the time the Super was being tooled, I doubt that they went to the trouble of creating a C. Similar to when the Mark VII came out and there were no sopranos.

[Stacey]

And similar to the Selmer sopraninos and basses of today - Serie II? No problem. Serie III or "Reference"? Um, no.

It would be very nice to get ones hands on a BA C-melody, though. Or an SBA. Or a VI. :(

[Michael Ward]

Bruce I was speaking to a friend of mine who managed one of the big London Woodwind stores recently and he said he'd had a couple of MkVII sopranos through the shop at that time.I think he's mistaken, I don't think Selmer ever made a MkV11 Sop but I do recall there were some Mark V1 Sops with V11 keywork .I remember reading about them years ago . These must be real collectors items .

[paulwl]

I wonder how Selmer would respond if I asked them to make me a C melody today. More than that I wonder what the horn would be like.

[saxelloman]

The Selmer/Paris company has a small museum of rare Selmer instruments (not sure if it is open for people to visit), including a true "Balanced Action" C-melody from 1936. I think it is only a prototype modell, but real! and a curved Soprano (there are a few outside, from "Seriés 1922", "modèle 22 + 26" up to "Mark VI").

There are existing a handful of Selmer (Paris) C-sopranos, modèle 22 and 26, too. They are similar to the Bb- Soprano modèle 22, only up to Eb and silver or nickel plated.

The production of C-melody horns stopped around 1930 all around the world, no more chance of selling C and F horns. A few instruments on special request, only.

[paulwl]

The Selmer/Paris company has a small museum of rare Selmer instruments (not sure if it is open for people to visit)
That would surprise me. As a family run company, they seem to be very private with their history. I don't know what it gains them.

[saxelloman]

This is not uncommon.
The wellknown and famous bassoon (mainly) manufactory "Heckel" in Wiesbaden/Germany has a factory museum, too. With all the greatest instruments they build in the past decades (Heckelphone, bass-clarinets, oboes and bassoon etc.), and this is not for public open, too.
"Buffet Crampon" in Paris is the same example. They collected instruments by themselves, but not to show in public.

[AMASAX]

well, turns out Selmer did make some Balanced Action c melodies...have seen a pic of one...no more details than that, tho...

[Paul Cohen]

And perhaps one of the rarest of the Selmer saxes is a Selmer Paris C Melody with a range down to low A! It is factory installed, looks, feels and plays beautifully, with an original factory case made to fit. It is one of the highlights of my collection.

Paul Cohen

[Bones]

Wow, Paul! What vintage/model is that Selmer C-melody?

[Paul Cohen]

Wow, Paul! What vintage/model is that Selmer C-melody?

Mine is a Modele 26, c. 1928 #10xxx

Paul Cohen

[Steve P]

Mr.Cohen,
Anyway you could post a picture for all of us to see?!


Best
Steve P

[Bernard]

I Have a Paris C Melody modele 22 No;3177 Its great all round sax a joy to play ..I dont often see them advertised .