GoodValley

I found this near my home, an old trumpet for sale. My son is 10. He wants to get started with the trumpet. Would this be a good starter for him? Or should I find something newer. He does like classic things. I was thinking of this one, and if he can learn to play a song, upgrade to a newer one. There is a trumpet teacher nearby who will give him lessons. Thanks for any input.


Buescher Elkhart Model 37B Trumpet and Case
Buescher Elkhart Model 37B Trumpet and Case
$200
This is a trumpet that my parents bought me in 1956. I sucked!! So, never played it after that. It has been sitting in a storeroom since about 1957. It does have a few little dings in the bell, but all in all, it is in excellent shape. It includes the original books, some music books, some valve oil, etc. This is a nice collectible piece.

s.coomer

Looks to be in very good shape and if your son is excited about playing it, let him. You might want to take it to the shop and have it checked out before he plays it, but if they give it a clean bill of health why not?

blanier

The elkhart models of that era were very basic student model horns. They seem to have been pretty solid horns, but not really anything to write home about. Their value is usually much less than $200. You might want to consider some alternatives such as Used Olds Ambassadors and Bundys from the 60s, or for a little more some more modern alternatives such as some of the Yamahas or the Bach TR200 (but not the TR300). Ambassadors are available in good playing condition for less than $150 and good examples of the TR200 can be bought for less than $400. Both of those horns would have third valve slide tuning -- the TR200 has first and third valve slide tuning -- that the Elkhart would not.

I'd also be concerned about buying a horn that's been sitting for that long -- you could probably count on spending another $100 to $150 to get it back in shape with a chem clean, unsticking the slides, and new corks/felts/springs, minor dent work, etc.

good luck,
Blake

Brian H. Smout

Hi,

Nice pics of an antique. The asking price for it's intended use is over the top. Consider the bill to get it in playing shape. A nice Yamaha 232 0r 2320 or Getzen 300 can be found for around the same price. It would have an adjustable 3rd valve tuning slide which your son will need and use.

Cheers,

Brian

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