OrchestraDirector

Hi All,
I'm a director of a Ragtime Orchestra based out of Annapolis Maryland. We use the original 1900's scores by many popular and now-forgotten artists of the era between 1890 and 1925. Most of our music calls for either Bb or A Cornets, and have a few questions.
Are there any sites out there that I should keep checking to see when a Bb/A cornet goes on sale? I'd prefer to have cornets from the era, but I'm keeping my options open. Also, is there a reasonable price range to look for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Andrew Greene
Director, Broadneck Ragtime Orchestra

Ursa

The overwhelming majority of Bb cornets can have their slides pulled out to play in A. The five cornets I've owned (Getzen 300, Olds Ambassador, Holton Collegiate and Super Collegiate, and Blessing XL-CR) all can play in A. A quick eBay search will turn up dozens of these. This is a functionality you can pretty much take for granted on a cornet, so common that many manufacturers don't even bother to mention it.

A few high-end vintage cornets even feature a mechanism which automatically lenghthens the valve slides when the main tuning slide is pulled out to A. My high scholl band director had his Grandfather's old Conn which had this feature. It was a neat thing to behold.

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Ursa's collection of fine brasswinds...
Besson BE709 Trumpet
Conn 20B Trumpet - small bore
E. K. Blessing XL-CR Short Cornet
Frank Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet, Copper/Nickel bell
Frank Holton Super Collegiate Cornet, Rose Brass/Nickel bell
Frank Holton Collegiate Cornet
Yamaha YEP-321S Euphonium
Frank Holton 6/4 EEb Tuba

Dale Proctor

Your best source for period Bb/A cornets is eBay, and Conn will be the prevalent manufacturer. I used to play in a "society band" and used a 1927 Conn 22B Bb/A trumpet. It was fun and worked very well with its Bb/A rotary valve in the tuning slide.

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Olde Towne Brass
www.otbrass.com

Brass Band of Huntsville
www.brassbandofhuntsville.org

"Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

gzent

I have an old Conn 22 myself. Although mine doesn't have the Bb/A slide, but the more common slide with a stop nut.

The horn plays very well and has never been overhauled as far as I can tell.
My wife picked it up at a church auction for $65.

Pictures in this thread:

http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f140...-29079-13.html (VINTAGE HORN EYE CANDY)

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www.bethanybrass.com - Helping fellow trumpet players achieve musical excellence

VetPsychWars

When you pull your main slide for A, don't forget to pull the valve slides too.

Tom