AboutColin Murray 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
Question QUESTION: I have a trombone and I have absolutely no idea how old it is or anything else, and it is driving me crazy because I have looked with no avail for months!!!!! HELP!!! The exact wording on the bell is "ELKHART BUILT BY BUESCHER ELKHART - IND. U.S.A." On the left part of the hand slide, there are numbers, facing the outer side and are upside down if it is standing up. The script reads: "66560", then the next line reads "LP" in very small letters, followed by on the next line: "66I". The bell itself is very small, and I've been told that smaller bells are characteristic of the popular jazz horns form the early 20th century. The curve n the top is also on the smallish side, and the bar supports up there are tilted, rather than straight on modern traditional models. It came with the original owners manual that proudly proclaims on the front "GUARANTEED BY THE ELKHART BAND INSTRUMENT CO. ELKHART, INDIANA", and underneath that it says: "HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT". I have played on an Elkhart before, but it was built by C.G. Conn. This one is gold brass, with a silver metal that is probably nickel only on the bell support that has the counterweight on it, which by the way is a Heart with an Elk in it. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
ANSWER: Hi Josh,
I got to you as soon as I possibly could- just take a few deep breaths...
According to the excellent site, Horn-u-copia.net: "The Elkhart Band Instrument Company (not to be confused with the Elkhart Musical Instrument Co which was started by Gronert in 1912 and merged with Martin in 1917. ) was started in 1924 by Buescher President Andrew Beardsley. After Beardsley's death in 1928, Elkhart Band Instrument company was merged into Buescher. Elkhart used Bandmaster, Tempo and Windsor as tradenames. Buescher used Elkhart Band Inst as a trademark."
According to the serial number you furnished, if it were a Buescher, it would have been made in 1921, but I don't believe the Elkhart Band Instrument company used Buescher serial numbers, and besides, the Elkhart Band Instrument company didn't exist until 1924 AND the fact your horn says "Elkhart by Buescher" would indicate it was made after Buescher took over Elkhart in 1928. It's been very difficult to find a serial number list for the Elkhart Band Instrument Company.
By the way, there was no real differentiation between "jazz" horns and "orchestra" horns in the early 20th century in the USA. This was a normal size trombone at the time, and the large bore horns like the Conn 8H were an anomaly. I'd bet the bore size of your Elkhart trombone is smaller than .480' and likely the bell is 6 1/2 or 7 inches, which is considered a pea-shooter by today's standards.
I hope that helps (at least somewhat). If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Colin Murray
www.mrequipment.net
"It's not HOW you play, it's WHAT you play!"
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QUESTION: Thank-you very much!!!!!! And perhaps you can help me further. The third image on the link you sent me (the one that says Reply #2), that is my exact horn. Any specifics or details?!?!?!?!? And thank-you sooooooooo much again!
Josh
Answer Hi Josh,
If you go to the link I gave you and click on "Kenton", you'll be asked to register on the website, and after that you'll be able to send an email to Kenton, who, I assume, owns the horn, or knows more about its history. The information I gave you on it came from Kenton Scott, who is also a great resource on allexperts.com, and I think gave you the same information in another posting.
