Martin Imperial

Trumpet1Ohio · 08-12-2005, 06:37 PM

I found a 1934-35 Martin Imperial. Haven't seen it so don't know the condition. I'm told it's rough/not terrible but plays well. Is there any value to this horn?

Robert Rowe · 08-17-2005, 09:44 PM

Probably $100.

The "restoration guys" are gonna love you, if you have a spare Grand to drop on them.

Sell it, and move on to something worth-while.

Robert Rowe

Trumpet1Ohio · 08-18-2005, 07:43 AM

The guy who has it wants $125. That's what he paid at an auction. I'll probably pass on it unless someone else chimes in with more positive information. Thanks.

Robert Rowe · 08-18-2005, 08:00 AM

Hi, Ken (Trumpet1Ohio) --

I didn't mean to be brusk ... I have been this route myself, so I thought I should give you a little more insight --

Sometimes, one may gravitate toward a horn of this ilk, in the interest of restoring it -- usually an expensive proposition. Subsequent to restoring it, you probably would never recoup your investment. It might be an acceptable exercise if the horn held "sentimental value", or, if you had a similar horn in need of parts or components; at that point, the "donor horn" can be useful.

I hope my comments help you.
Best of luck --

Robert Rowe

Trumpet1Ohio · 08-18-2005, 10:30 AM

I appreciate your follow up. I didn't take your comments as "brusk". No worries. I'm not going to mess around with it. I've got too many projects already. I'd just tick off my wife.

oldlou · 09-03-2005, 03:08 PM

If you are interested, I have a beautiful Martin extended cornet, ( the one that looks like a trumpet). It's major blemish is that the silver plate inside the bell has been partially scrubbed away. The balance of the silver plate on the horn is really quite good,except the hand hold spots. It plays wonderfully, the valve compression test by pulling the tuning slides produces gratifying loud pops. There are a very few extremely light,small pings,( not dents by any stretch). This is a silver plated horn in a very bad looking case which is surprisingly still sound. The case looks like heck, but, both latches work, minus any spring action, and the cases structural integrity is still good. I want $250.00, including shipping to the lower 48. I would also entertain the possibility of a trade for a very good silver upright Eb alto horn.

OLDLOU>>

Harrelson1 · 10-18-2005, 09:19 AM

Guys: I have to differ w/you on this - I bought a Martin Imperial trumpet in mint condition and I don't really care what it is worth - it plays wonderful!!! Just for reference, I have been playing for 40+ years and have played and/or owned most trumpets on the market today. You can see my latest horn on the Harrelson web site (also hear me play there).

In sum, I am comparing the Martin with some pretty great horns and it holds up quite well....

Trumpet1Ohio · 10-18-2005, 09:48 AM

I decided to buy the horn. The price is right at $125. I considered stripping and leaving it that way. What do think? Valves look ok...need lapped. Thanks for your opinion...makes me feel good about the decision. A couple questions for you. Do you know what the bore size is? Also, where did the Imperial fall in the Martin line? Was it considered a lower end or higher end horn?

Thanks again,
Ken

oldlou · 10-18-2005, 11:06 AM

Prior to the advent of the Martin Commitee Model in about 1935 or 1936 the Imperial Handcrafted was the top of Martin's line. After that date the Imperial line became Martin's student grade horn. The date of manufacture can be determined on several websites by serial number. The Imperials were medium bore horns. This can be checked by pulling the second valve slide and measuring the inside diameter of the crook with a dial or digital caliper. I have one and love it. Mine is an extended cornet, made in 1934 which looks much like a trumpet, but, with an additional loop in the bellpipe, just after the exit from the first valve. The main tuning slide is located in this extra loop.
I hope that you enjoy your horn as much as I have mine.

OLDLOU>>

Trumpet1Ohio · 10-18-2005, 12:54 PM

Best we can tell is that this is '34-'35 horn. Did they all have the reverse lead pipe? This one does.

I'm looking forward to getting it.

Ken

08-12-2005, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Trumpet1Ohio Pianissimo User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 111	Martin Imperial I found a 1934-35 Martin Imperial. Haven't seen it so don't know the condition. I'm told it's rough/not terrible but plays well. Is there any value to this horn? __________________ Ken Burbank Benge 3X Olds Super Conn 22B

08-18-2005, 07:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
Trumpet1Ohio Pianissimo User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 111	The guy who has it wants $125. That's what he paid at an auction. I'll probably pass on it unless someone else chimes in with more positive information. Thanks. __________________ Ken Burbank Benge 3X Olds Super Conn 22B

08-18-2005, 10:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Trumpet1Ohio Pianissimo User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 111	I appreciate your follow up. I didn't take your comments as "brusk". No worries. I'm not going to mess around with it. I've got too many projects already. I'd just tick off my wife. __________________ Ken Burbank Benge 3X Olds Super Conn 22B

09-03-2005, 03:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
oldlou Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi. Posts: 658	1934 Martin Imperial Handcrafted If you are interested, I have a beautiful Martin extended cornet, ( the one that looks like a trumpet). It's major blemish is that the silver plate inside the bell has been partially scrubbed away. The balance of the silver plate on the horn is really quite good,except the hand hold spots. It plays wonderfully, the valve compression test by pulling the tuning slides produces gratifying loud pops. There are a very few extremely light,small pings,( not dents by any stretch). This is a silver plated horn in a very bad looking case which is surprisingly still sound. The case looks like heck, but, both latches work, minus any spring action, and the cases structural integrity is still good. I want $250.00, including shipping to the lower 48. I would also entertain the possibility of a trade for a very good silver upright Eb alto horn. OLDLOU>>

10-18-2005, 09:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Trumpet1Ohio Pianissimo User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 111	I decided to buy the horn. The price is right at $125. I considered stripping and leaving it that way. What do think? Valves look ok...need lapped. Thanks for your opinion...makes me feel good about the decision. A couple questions for you. Do you know what the bore size is? Also, where did the Imperial fall in the Martin line? Was it considered a lower end or higher end horn? Thanks again, Ken __________________ Ken Burbank Benge 3X Olds Super Conn 22B

08-17-2005, 09:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Robert Rowe Piano User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 498	Probably $100. The "restoration guys" are gonna love you, if you have a spare Grand to drop on them. Sell it, and move on to something worth-while. Robert Rowe

08-18-2005, 08:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Robert Rowe Piano User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 498	Hi, Ken (Trumpet1Ohio) -- I didn't mean to be brusk ... I have been this route myself, so I thought I should give you a little more insight -- Sometimes, one may gravitate toward a horn of this ilk, in the interest of restoring it -- usually an expensive proposition. Subsequent to restoring it, you probably would never recoup your investment. It might be an acceptable exercise if the horn held "sentimental value", or, if you had a similar horn in need of parts or components; at that point, the "donor horn" can be useful. I hope my comments help you. Best of luck -- Robert Rowe

10-18-2005, 09:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
Harrelson1 New Friend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 26	Guys: I have to differ w/you on this - I bought a Martin Imperial trumpet in mint condition and I don't really care what it is worth - it plays wonderful!!! Just for reference, I have been playing for 40+ years and have played and/or owned most trumpets on the market today. You can see my latest horn on the Harrelson web site (also hear me play there). In sum, I am comparing the Martin with some pretty great horns and it holds up quite well....

10-18-2005, 11:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
oldlou Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi. Posts: 658	Martin Imperial trumpet Prior to the advent of the Martin Commitee Model in about 1935 or 1936 the Imperial Handcrafted was the top of Martin's line. After that date the Imperial line became Martin's student grade horn. The date of manufacture can be determined on several websites by serial number. The Imperials were medium bore horns. This can be checked by pulling the second valve slide and measuring the inside diameter of the crook with a dial or digital caliper. I have one and love it. Mine is an extended cornet, made in 1934 which looks much like a trumpet, but, with an additional loop in the bellpipe, just after the exit from the first valve. The main tuning slide is located in this extra loop. I hope that you enjoy your horn as much as I have mine. OLDLOU>>

10-18-2005, 12:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
Trumpet1Ohio Pianissimo User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 111	Best we can tell is that this is '34-'35 horn. Did they all have the reverse lead pipe? This one does. I'm looking forward to getting it. Ken __________________ Ken Burbank Benge 3X Olds Super Conn 22B

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