Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/5/2009

Question
Hi - We have an old E-flat mellophone (looks like a small French horn) from The Elkhart Band Instrument Company. The serial number is 148xxx. We are trying to find out when it was made and what quality level it was. Probably not good, as you can see the line around where the bell was attached! It has several dents in the tubing and not sure if it pays to spend the money to get them out, or if it goes on the wall as a curiosity.
Thanks- Lori

Answer
The Elkhart Band Instrument Company was started in 1924 by Buescher President Andrew Beardsley. After Beardsley's death in 1928, Elkhart Band Instrument company was merged into Buescher. Elkhart used Bandmaster, Tempo and Windsor as tradenames. Buescher used Elkhart Band Inst as a trademark.

There is no known list of serial numbers.  

It is probably a reasonably good quality instrument.  Seeing the line in the bell is more a matter of finish than the quality of the instrument.  

It probably makes sense to put money into repairs only if you plan to put it back into service.