Hey, i was just wonderin.... It may sound dumb, but how do you tell what kind yur trumpet is. I know how to tell like the brand and all... like the individual series er whatever... i doneven know what im talkin bout.. Like a bach strad er whatevcer. plz help

Hi Shadow/Blake,
I think you have a Bach there somewhere in your kit. Check the Bell, and that will tell you the model.

Bach Stradivarius is arguably the best "off the shelf" Bb horn you can get

Hi again,
Get the serial number, and check it on the Bach website...it may be under selmer..mot sure of that now. Butb they list all the horns made, and approx year of manufacture. I have a Bach Stad ML37,a Bach Mercedes, and a Selmer Sterling Bb. All different sounding but would pick the Strad if I had to. Love em all.

The Mercedes were under-rated in my opinion.

Heye peter, thanx fer yur help but i had some trouble. If the serial # yer talkn bout is the one on the middle valve, then mine is b27298. I can`t figure the serial # identificatiion thing out, Im gonnna go tryunder selmer.. Thanx again

Well that`s a good number!!

It would indicate a "B" bell, design, and made around 1964 at the Mt Vernon N.Y. plant. Som people think the "B" is Besson Bell, as Bach used some, but most likely is a copy of the design. The Mt. Vernon instruments are becoming rarer, and are preferred. Selmer bought Bach in 1961, and moved manufacturing in 1965 to Elkhart IN. the serial numbers were 30,000 from then.

I have read they are better to play, but I am not sure how good they are to play, as I have never blown one. All Bachs are good.

I would not re-lacquer or do anything apart from keep in original condition, without more advice from an expert.

thanx alot fer yer help pete. Well, I was just wonderin, How if it was prolly made around `64, It seems like a brand new case, like one of those new plastic ones with the bumps, and most older trumpets have the wooden case covered in vinyl or leather er sumtin, Well, did the case get replaced er sumtin??

The case could have worn out, and then been replaced. The original would have been a vinyl covered, with leather stitched down edges (I think), and a Bach disc name plate on the top side. The leather takes the knocks well, but does deteriorate over time. It`s not uncommon for older trumpets to be in gig bags or a new bag. I`m no expert on the bag, so perhaps another person can be more accurate. My horns are 1970`s period.

I just acquired a mercedes...NICE horn. Peter, do you know anything about them? This one is about 50 ys/o.

Bonnie

Can someone tell me about my trumpet. It says Supertone Bandmaster made in Elkhart, IN. The serial number (I think) on the second valve says 3894. can someone help

Hi Bonnie,
50 yr old Mercedes? That`s a good horn. The one you have sounds like the Bach Strad without the frills. If you get the chance to play a Bach Strad, compare them. The later Mercs and Merecedes II are not quite the same.

Mine is a mellower tone, and really nice to play. My lacquer has outlasted the Strad, and I`m not sure why, as it was my first main instrument before I could afford a Strad.

Check the selmer web-site, and check your serial numbers.

Hello. I have a Nadirali & Co Silver Plated Trumpet. I can find no date or serial number anywhere. Can anyone help?

I have a Mercedes....was used when my parents bought it for me in `82. It was beautiful! Even the kids that had Strads liked it better---the valves were and still are the smoothest ever. And has a fab tone. My daughter is now playing it and is 2nd year and 1st chair. Can`t really find out any info except it was made in the early 70s....any ideas?

Don`t forget leadpipes too. They effect yur sound more than any other part of the horn (at least in my experiance)


I have a Bach Stradivarious Bell model 72 with a 43 leadpipe.

Built in aprox 1974


I got that year from Dave`s Bach Trumpet Page.

LINK: http://www.electrotheremin.com/bach.html

I have it on good authority that when buying an older trumpet it`s wise to check, or have a pro check to make sure the leadpipe doesn`t have tiny holes in it from corrosion, which will be present if it was stored wet for any length of time..

Can anyone help with the question of the Supertone Bandmaster Trumpet ? I can find no info about it, just inquiries.