Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/28/2006

Question
Hi There.  I recently acquired this and I'm having a hard time trying to verify how old it is.  Serial number is 77106.  It has spent more time in it's original Elkhorn case than actually being used.  Overall lacquer is about 90%. Very minor dings, no dents.   Slide exterior is excellent-95% and the stockings are perfect. Case is very nice, too.  The only reason I want to know it's worth is because my 11 year old wants to bring this to school band, and although he's played brass (mainly trumpet) for 4 years, should I be afraid to let him have this?  He respects his instrument, although I'm not so sure about his friends.  Thanks for your time.  LARRY

Answer
Getzen started making trombones in 1946, and made about 1000.   The company had a devasting fire in 1963 destroying the plant and records.  By 1964, they used a numbering system that had a letter preceding the number. So, it is almost certain that it was made between 46 and 63, and you can probably lop of some of those early years.  

There seem to have been more than one style of trombone with that model designation. One has straight supports and one has very curved supports.  The one with the curved supports is very striking.  

As far as whether to let you son take it to school, I can only say that a good playing trombone with a quality slide is a joy.  And, once a slide is damaged, it is rare to get them back to pristine condition again.  

I've had the very thing happen to a trumpet of mine.  The young man that wanted to take it to school was careful with it, but the person he handed it to, didn't know how to correctly hold it and when the tuning slide slipped out . . . well you know.