Expert: Kenton Scott - 12/18/2011

Question
Hi,
My son is a senior in high school and has been playing trombone since 5th grade.  He is now in about 5 different bands and orchestras at school and has partipated in 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor honoring survivors.  I would like to surprise him with a valve trombone he has been looking for.  I found one Beuscher serial number 63051.  Any information on when this was made and if it might be worth getting for him.  It appears to be in fairly good shape.  I know nothing about trombones.  He currently has a very nice trombone but has been interested in a valve trombone.
I have never posted here so do not know much how this works.  If you can email me this might help.  Not sure if I should be checking back here or looking for an email.
Thanks much.

Answer
That horn was made around 1920.  I have a Buescher valve trombone that is a bit older than the one you are looking at, and it is a cut above other valve trombones of that age that I have played.  But a lot could have happened to it in the nearly 90 years of its existence.  It is likely that it will need to be cleaned up, repairs made and maybe even some refurbishing.  The most likely problem that you can't see with it would be worn valves.