Maison SELMER
Beware of counterfeits: 5 tips to recognize an authentic Henri SELMER Paris instrument
Since 1885, nearly a million instruments have been manufactured by Henri SELMER Paris in its Manufacture. Thanks to their worldwide reputation, these instruments are subject to numerous imitations of inferior quality, affecting musicians who think they have purchased an authentic instrument. Here are our tips to help you differentiate an authentic Henri SELMER Paris instrument from a counterfeit.
The counterfeiting trap
The counterfeiting of musical instruments is a growing problem which affects manufacturers and musicians alike. Many replicas are sold as authentic versions at lower prices. The offer may seem tempting, but counterfeit instruments are often of inferior quality. The result is mediocre sound, reliability and durability issues, and costly repairs that some manufacturers may even refuse to undertake.
Materials used, manufacturing processes, quality control, working conditions, there are major differences between Henri SELMER Paris instruments, manufactured in France in our workshops for over a century, and the many imitations made all over the world. Fortunately, these differences are often visible to a discerning eye…
How to spot a counterfeit?
How do you know whether you are dealing with an authentic Henri SELMER Paris instrument or a counterfeit? Here are some things to check:
1. Logo
The Henri SELMER Paris logo, with laurel leaves surrounding the brand name, is a detail worth checking closely. It is present on all our saxophones. On counterfeits, the shape of the laurel leaves or the font may differ. Words may even be missing…
Only the first SELMER instruments, the Series 1922 and the Model 22, bear a different logo. This is the brand's first logo, with the inscription “H. SELMER À PARIS”.
2. Serial number
Each Henri SELMER Paris instrument is engraved with a unique serial number, the correspondence of which can be verified with our services. The serial number of our saxophones is composed of 6 digits maximum. Counterfeit instruments often have inconsistent serial numbers with several letters for example. Many bear the mention "SAS" or "STS" added to the serial number; these are counterfeit instruments. Please consult the SELMER serial number table.
3. Octave key of the neck
Since the 1950s, all Henri SELMER Paris saxophones have featured an “S” engraved on the octave key of the neck, a distinctive element sometimes overlooked by counterfeiters… The saxophones in our current range all feature an S on a blue background, except for the Axos model, where the color of the neck is uniform.
4. Country of manufacture
When you buy an instrument online, be particularly careful. An authentic Henri SELMER Paris instrument is always made in France . If you see the words "China" or "Taiwan" for example, it is probably a counterfeit. The words "Made in France" also appear on all the saxophones in our current range.
5. Finish
Henri SELMER Paris saxophones only come in seven standard finishes: lacquered, silver plated, black, gold plated, brushed, solid silver, antique lacquered. There are a few exceptions such as limited editions, customized instruments, or old white models, but these are rare. If the instrument has an unusual finish, this may be a warning sign.
Some saxophones sold on the market also have red felts, but Henri SELMER Paris does not use red felts for the guards, only black or green felts. Therefore, if you see a new saxophone with red felts, it is obviously a counterfeit. Note however that if it is a second-hand saxophone, you cannot determine the instrument's authenticity by the color of the felts alone. In fact, technicians who repair musical instruments sometimes replace the protective felts with felts of a different color..
Henri SELMER Paris vs Conn Selmer
There is sometimes confusion between Henri SELMER Paris instruments and those produced by Conn Selmer, an American company that not only distributes our products but also manufactures its own instruments.
Although bearing the name "Selmer", the instruments manufactured by Conn Selmer are not made in France and should not be confused with Henri SELMER Paris instruments. Rather designed for beginners and produced on a large scale, they are recognizable by their logo in Gothic letters.
Where to buy our instruments?In order to avoid counterfeits and to ensure that you are purchasing an authentic Henri SELMER Paris instrument, we encourage you to turn to our network of authorized retailers. Selected for their technical expertise, these professionals are trained to guide you in selecting the instrument that best suits your needs.
To ensure you acquire an authentic instrument, you can also turn to our ReWIND.fr service, the reference platform for second-hand Henri SELMER Paris instruments. Vintage or recent, these instruments are completely overhauled in our workshops or by our authorized repairers and then offered for sale on our site to the delight of new musicians. |
If you have any doubts about the authenticity of your instrument, please contact one of our authorized retailers. Only these qualified professionals can examine your instrument accurately and advise you properly.
► Network of authorized dealers
► ReWIND.fr, second-hand instrument platform
► Serial Number Table
