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Trombone/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Holton Trombone r602r 020-646 | 1/22/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I was wondering how old this trombone is and if it's worth restoring. It is a Holton Trombone with ... A: It's a Holton Collegiate model, a student-level instrument. Not a bad horn, but I've seen them ... | ||
| Arbiter Pro Sound Trombone | 1/22/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have an Arbiter Pro Sound trombone and have been unable to find any information about it on the ... A: I'm guessing you're from the UK. Arbiter Pro Sound instruments show up on various websites, ... | ||
| Pan American horn | 1/22/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: just aquired a sweet silver plated Pan Am which I think is quite old the slide does not attach with ... A: According to this list: http://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/ConnSerialsPanAmBrass.html, your trombone was ... | ||
| Boosey & Hawkes Trombone | 1/21/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I purchased a Boosey & Hawkes 'Oxford' model trombone 'new' in 1958, and played it in school bands, ... A: It's an "okay" trombone, but I wouldn't put more than about $60 into it. If I remember from my days ... | ||
| Buescher Trombone | 1/20/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: Does a silver-plated Buescher trombone with serial number 7990 have much value? It is in good, ... A: I'm afraid the trombone isn't worth much. (I have one.) It looks nice, but I never play it. It's too ... | ||
| Vintage Hawkes Trombone | 1/14/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have a Hawkes & Sons, Denman Street, Piccadilly Circus, London Excelsior Class, Serial No 12160 ... A: It probably dates from around 1896, and is, I assume, pitched in B flat. However, it's probably in ... | ||
| Conn Trombone | 1/13/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: Colin, I recently found an old Conn trombone at a liquidators sale and purchased it for $75.00. It ... A: Conn didn't start using distinct model numbers until around 1920, so I can't really guess what ... | ||
| Old Conn Trombone | 1/13/2012 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I came across an old Conn trombone that belonged to my great-grandfather and was curious about ... A: All I can tell you is that it was made around 1908. It may be of interest to a collector, but ... | ||
| Olds Ambassador | 12/23/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I think I may have found a possible good buy trombone but I feel like the information he is giving ... A: A 293000 series would put it in the late 1950's, so he's not that far off. I looked at his listing, ... | ||
| King 1306 | 12/23/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I just saw a listing on ebay for a Silver King 1306 tenor trombone, and I was wondering what you ... A: The King 1306 was known as the "Tempo", and was a very good intermediate model, sort of the "poor ... | ||
| King Tempo Trombone | 12/22/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I bought a King Trombone at a flea market. It is silver and brass and the only serial number i can ... A: No matter what, you got a bargain! Even ten times what you paid for it would be a good deal. Have a ... | ||
| holton trombone model 67 | 12/21/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: When I was studying music I obtained a Holton model 67 from my teacher. It was his and it was a ... A: I don't know the exact specs (ie tubing wall thickness) on the original horn, but nickel-silver ... | ||
| what bass trombone? | 12/20/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I do play tenor trombone (King 4B Siver Sonorous, Conn 52H) and I develop more and more interest in ... A: It's a very personal choice, but I'd suggest something that makes a good "all-round" horn. The ... | ||
| Appraisal for Vincent Bach Stradivarius 42G | 12/17/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I want to sell my Vincent Bach Stradivarius trombone with a thayer valve. I bought it new a few ... A: My rule of thumb for pricing a used horn is 2/3 to 70% of a new one, and lower the price from there ... | ||
| Trombone mouthpiece | 12/12/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I own two horns, a King 3B Concert (1980) which I am using in a 62 piece concert band. What is the ... A: Mouthpiece choice is a very personal one, but based on your descriptions, I'd suggest you start ... | ||
| old ambassador trombone | 12/9/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I also have a question about a recently aquired Olds Ambassador trombone. serial number 63461. i ... A: F.E. Olds made excellent trombones, and unfortunately went out of business in 1979. The Ambassador ... | ||
| Conn 79H | 12/8/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: Quit playing my horn nearly 30 years ago and it's been setting on a shelf ever since. I would like ... A: Yes, by all means get it repaired and cleaned up before selling. The 79H is a good, all-around horn ... | ||
| Trombone | 12/4/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I recently got a trombone from my father. It was his instrument in when he played in a dance band in ... A: It probably dates from around 1936, and if it has a tuning mechanism in the slide, it's a "standard" ... | ||
| Martin Trombone | 12/3/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I bought a Martin trombone in the mid-70s. At that time maybe Holton was merging with them because ... A: The only Martin trombone made by Holton I'm aware of is the Urbie Green model, which had an 8" ... | ||
| Value 1964 Bach Trombone | 11/30/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have a Bach Stradivarius Model 16, serial number 7002, manufactured in Mount Vernon, NY - I have ... A: I sold it for someone else. I'm an instrument broker, so I handle sales (and purchases) of good ... | ||
| Ballpark price for a Vintage Conn | 11/29/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I am wondering how I can find the market value of a vintage conn. I have been able to figure out ... A: Everything depends on its condition. The 4H isn't that popular amongst trombonists (if it were a 6H ... | ||
| Value 1964 Bach Trombone | 11/22/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have a Bach Stradivarius Model 16, serial number 7002, manufactured in Mount Vernon, NY - I have ... A: Value will depend on its condition and how it plays. As a ballpark, I sold a Mt.Vernon 16 in perfect ... | ||
| Elkhart Trombone | 11/17/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I saw your answer to another about the site for older Pan American Ind U.S.A. Trombones and on that ... A: If you haven't already, check out this part of the Conn Loyalist website: ... | ||
| used trombone purchase | 11/1/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: My son is starting in the band soon and he is playing the trombone. I am looking at purchasing a ... A: If you stick to brands like Yamaha, King, Conn, Getzen, Olds (the original from California) or ... | ||
| King Tempo 1306--Bad slide | 10/24/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: Looks like I had the same thing happen to me as ol' Henk did. Got a King Tempo 1306 and looked ... A: It sounds like a plan, but I don't know if it's a GOOD plan. The older King Tempo (if it has an 8" ... | ||
| Conn 88h | 10/22/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I purchased a Conn 88H (serial number C9591) back in 1973 for $300 used. Have not played since ... A: Your horn was made around 1963 in Elkhart, Indiana, making it more desirable in the marketplace. If ... | ||
| Trombone medium and large bores / mouthpeices | 10/16/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have a few questions, I would greatly appreciate an answer to. I recently purchased a Bach tb200 ... A: A FEW questions? Fortunately, I'm a good mood... 1. Was the medium bore purchase worth it? - Yes. ... | ||
| Trombone age | 10/3/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: my Question is on my Revelation Trombone.I have had since I was about 12 years old.Can you tell me ... A: It was made in 1934, according to the serial number you supplied. Hagerty's silver polish comes ... | ||
| 1962 Olds Recording tenor trombone | 9/30/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I am in the process of resurrecting my interest in playing the trombone and have a 1962 Olds ... A: The Olds Recording is an excellent trombone, and will be more than adequate for you. You should only ... | ||
| age and value of conn 88h trombone | 9/30/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have an older Conn 88h--- serial number R2973L---- does anyone have info on age and approx. ... A: This is one of the last of the Elkhart-made (or early made-in-Texas-from-Elkhart-parts)88H's, made ... | ||
| Conn trombone | 9/29/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I just aquired a 1970ish Conn 60H Trombone with the rose bell and tuning on the hand slide. It has 1 ... A: Conn 60H or 62H (the two-valve version) bass trombones are hard to come by, and if you have one in ... | ||
| Conn Trombone | 9/28/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have a Conn Trombone that used to belong to my father-in-law. I'm trying to find out info about ... A: Your insurance agent would tell you if it's not covered on your regular homeowner's policy. Usually ... | ||
| King 3-B Concert Silver-Sonic | 9/26/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I am wanting to sell my King 3-B Concert Silver-Sonic. I have owned it since 1977. It has sat in my ... A: Check with a local band instrument repair shop for an official appraisal. If you go to napbirt.org ... | ||
| Bach strad trombone | 9/24/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: Colin, I bought this Bach strad 42 w/f attachment in 1980 when I was in music school. It was used ... A: The older Bachs that have "Corporation" seemed to be valued higher than later Bachs, so if your 42B ... | ||
| Selmer Trombone L44 | 9/22/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I see you've answered a number of questions on the Special 23 Henri Selmer trombones, but I'm not ... A: I'm not sure if the trumpet and trombone serial numbers were close, but a 10,000 series trumpet was ... | ||
| King 7B Bass trombone | 9/7/2011 | Garry Hughes |
| Q: But I am not sure is 4 # on bell,it's not clear. Do you know about when it was made? and the value ... A: I think you are looking for a King 2B rather than a 7B. The first 2B was made very early 1940s. ... | ||
| Cleaning an old trombone | 9/6/2011 | Garry Hughes |
| Q: I recently bought a used trombone. How might I go about cleaning it to make it shinny? Thanks. A: That depends on what sort of finish the trombone has on it. If it is gold (bare brass) you use ... | ||
| Sampson special trombone | 9/5/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: I have an old trombone. Black leather case. green felt inside. The bell has and ornate flower ... A: I've never heard of this brand, and your photo is a bit too blurry to make out the engraving. If I ... | ||
| king trombone | 8/30/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: i have a king 607 trombone serial #873587 and also has 360 on it. could you tell me what type it is ... A: The 607 is an intermediate model with F attachment. Pretty decent horn and according to the serial ... | ||
| Selmer Trombone | 8/30/2011 | Colin Murray |
| Q: Im hoping someone can help me out here. My fathers old Trombone was given to me, he purchased this ... A: A good repair technician would give you an appraisal for insurance purposes, though you may not need ... | ||
Colin Murray
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer about trombone equipment (instruments, mouthpieces, used horns, etc) and trombone (especially bass trombone) playing. If I don't know right away, I have an extensive network of experts to call on. I can't help you get a date.
Experience
25 years as professional bass trombonist (playing in big bands,orchestras, theatre, etc), 20 years as brass repair technician and retail and wholesale sales. Bass trombone instructor at Humber College, Toronto. Creator of website www.mrequipment.net - all about brass and woodwind gear and the people behind it.
Organizations
National Association of Music Merchants, American Federation of Musicians, International Trombone Association
Education/Credentials
B.Mus, L.Mus (Performance) McGill University, Montreal
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