Antique Musical Instruments/2 base baritones

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Expert: - 2/17/2008


Question
I have 2 base baritones one marked GOUMAT & Co fully warranteed Austria. Can you tell e age on this horn. Also have a base baritone larger says Elkheart Ind. 89228 1976907 Oct 29 03 CLK label Pat Mich and some elaborite engraving on bell with a shield shape with the letters inside being MPB over PLU can you tell me who made this horn? The smaller base was bought in 40's used by husband and played by him. The other bought in a estate buy out. Thanks Jean

Answer
The Goumat brand of instruments is an interesting one.  The Langwill Index which is sort of the wind instrument bible says that it is a counterfeit brand purporting to be Goumas.  That may be unduly harsh, but it is nevertheless likely that it was a stencil instrument.

Elkhart was home for over 20 instrument makers, including two that used Elkhart in their name.  I can't match up that patent number as it seems to be for the automotive industry.

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

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Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

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B.S. Ed, M.S.

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