Antique Musical Instruments/J.W. Pepper 1900 3-Valve Trombone

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Expert: - 9/15/2009


Question

JWPepper3ValveTrombone
Hello, I'm probably going to buy a trombone tomorrow, and I would like to get any information I can about it.  

Here is info about the trombone for sale from the seller:"j. w. pepper valve trombone made in philadelphia serial number 21599... the mouthpiece is a frank holton 82 made in elkhorn wisconsin."

It was probably made around 1905.  It's a 3 valve J.W. Pepper from about 1905.  It could be a Distin or an import

On your website, It closely resembles the following Pepper valve trombones:

#833     Trombone; Valve     Pepper     Surprise     86263  pic
#3306 Trombone; Valve Pepper Premier 10992
Engraved: J.W. Pepper Premier Philadelphia #10992 Highest Award Diploma Worlds Fair Columbian Exposition Chicago 1893 42in long bell: 8 1/2 in
#3306 Trombone; Valve Pepper Premier 10992
Engraved: J.W. Pepper Premier Philadelphia #10992 Highest Award Diploma Worlds Fair Columbian Exposition Chicago 1893 42in long bell: 8 1/2 in

You have an alto up on the site too, but my trombone looks to have a much longer slide.  Pepper did have a "long slide" version however (as seen in the catalog on your site)

My guess is it is an old Eb/F tenor trombone but it could be an old alto "long slide" valve 'bone?

Will I be able to play this LP just by tuning it to 440?

Thanks so much for any help


Answer
It would appear - though pictures can be deceiving - to be a Bb tenor.   I think is too late to have been associated with Distin.  If it is a high pitched horn, it will probably not have enough tuning slide to bring it down to 440.  But, the turning slide can be lengthened by adding tubing to allow it to play at low pitch.  

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