Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/11/2010

Question
Kenton, do you know when Buescher began and ended making the Buescher Grand model trombone.

Did Buescher ever use a lacquer on the brass finish version of these trombones, or would all gold/brass coloured versions of this trombone be gold plate or obvious tarnished rare brass?

If there were both styles of finish ( gold plate/wash and lacquered brass) is there an easy way to tell which is which?  

Do you know what the addition numbers after the serial number mean i.e. 38 or 83?

Thanks for any info!

Answer
I do not have a production range for the Grand.

Practically all the makers used a basic raw brass for the base model, that then could be upgraded to silver plate, up to silverplate with gold trim, to gold plate.  

Lacquer wasn't used until later as a less expensive way of finishing the instrument which would keep tarnish off of it.  

But, it was also popular to take used horns in and give them an after-market lacquering, which apparently was very popular, as many many were treated in this way.

Gold plating is not as durable and will more easily wear off than will silver.  Lacquer of course will eventually wear and when it does, it is obviously mottled.  Lacquer feels different to the touch.  And, of course lacquer will not respond to polish.  

37 and 39 were Grand trombones, but I thought the 38 was a valve trombone.