Expert: Kenton Scott - 10/18/2007

Question
QUESTION: I PURCHASED A GETZEN DELUXE ELKHORN BASS TRUMPET FROM A LOCAL MUSIC STORE WITH NO CASE. I HAVE NO INFO ON IT. THE BELL SAYS GETZEN DELUXE ELKHORN -W/S- ON THE 2ND VALVE IT SAYS PAT PENDING GETZEN 110611 AND ENGRAVED IS THE NUMBERS 1462 THE CONDITION IS VERY NICE, NO DENTS IT IS BRONZE NOT SILVER OR NICKLE. CAN YOU HELP ME? I HAVE NO IDEA OF THE YEAR, VALUE, OR EVEN HOW TO GET A CASE.

THANKS,
TOMMIE BELL

ANSWER: Hi Tommie,

Your horn was made before the 14963 fire that wiped out their records including the serial number lists.  

Is it of this style:
http://www.horn-u-copia.net/instruments/Getzen/Getzen-trumpet-bass-300.jpg

I think a case is going to be a problem.  You may have to be satisfied with a trombone gig bag.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: WOW, THAT'S AMAZING. IT DOES LOOK SIMILAR TO THAT, BUT MUCH MUCH BETTER CONDITION, PLUS THAT PIC LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A SCREW ON BELL MAYBE? MINE DOESN'T HAVE A CONNECTION OR BAND AROUND THE BELL. I WILL TRY TO GET A SCAN OF IT FOR YOU. WOULD YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF IT'S ESTIMATED VALUE OR SOME WAY I MAY BE ABLE TO FIND OUT? I TRADED 2 MANDOLINS VALUED AT AROUND $500 FOR IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T GET TAKEN. =) THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

Answer
I'm not sure about that ring on the horn in the picture.  The one Getzen bass trumpet I saw live didn't have it either.  It may be some kind of repair.  I don't know.

I really don't try to guesstimate value.  I suspect that you got a reasonable deal, but you didn't steal from them.