MFfan

Very nice horn. The spit valve keys remind me of Olds and Getzen models.
I looked on Horn-u-copia, and on the Martin instrument thread there was a photo of a Martin Indiana , circa 1962 , ser.131xxx . I does not have your style water keys. Text says" Intermediate level above the Imperial. They share the same configuration and tubing as the Committee and the valves are interchangeable. The major changes between the two are in the bracing , valve casings and the Indiana does not have the reverse lead pipe.The Indiana went thru many design changes over the years and the 1962 is the final version, Bore.468."

I don't know where the owner got the 1962 date as that number and yours don't square with the Martin List on Kirmser's . They might well have had a separate list for the Indiana's. From what I see in the history remarks that the Indiana Band Instrument co was started in 38 by Martin President Fred Holtz and was absorbed into Martin in 1942 and used as a student line.

Under the Indiana instrument thread, there is a photo of an Indiana, with standard water keys, which doesn't look to have the same bell markings, but I can't see for sure. The serial is 50xxx which was put in the 50's.
The info said it had a reverse leadpipe and bore of .453.

I saw a reference by googling that someone called the Indiana of that type a great horn, made in the classic Committee era. ML bore with 4 3/4 bell. Hope this helps a bit.

__________________
Dave Rafferty
Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?)
Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan)

Besson 609 Trumpet
1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet
1948 Besson cornet
1946 King Master Cornet
www.kalamazooconcertband.org

Robert Rowe

Without dragging out all the Indiana's I have (probably a dozen? ... and from every era of Martin ownership, including "pre-Martin"), I can tell you they are superlative horns.

I shy-away from pinning dates on horns. I don't have enough time in my days to worry about it. I play them.

Some internet "info" (I hesitate to use the term) is greatly in error. I almost curl my toe-nails when I read that the Imperial is the "student"-line horn.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

However; during the latter production during the Wurlitzer ownership of the Martin brand, the Indiana line was dropped. At that point, the Imperial was the entry-level instrument. Only lasted a couple years of production.

All Indiana's have standard mouthpipe / tuning-slide configuration. No "reverse"-mouthpipe / tuning-slide. The Wurlitzer-era did yield some "X-Lge" (Martin terminology) .468"-bore horns. I have one (I think). There were also some ML (.460"-bore) Indiana's during Wurlitzer production.

BTW -- I have official Martin publications -- brochures, sales flyers, price-lists, etc. They all show the Indiana as the entry-level / "student" horn. The Imperial was placed as an intermediate-level instrument. Committee, Magna and Custom at the top of the food-chain.

The Indiana's are superb horns, in their own right. Many of us Committee players use Indiana's as "back-up" horns. Almost identical "blow". Not quite as squirrelly in the upper-register as Committee ... but, that might appeal to some that have trouble mastering the Committee.

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Steveg013

hi - i have a Martin Imperial ser# 203511, since I was a young boy. i've begun playing more lately -- (mostly hymns in my church).
I believe your post said that my horn is an "intermediate". I like its sound, but this trumpet is the only one I have ever played. Since i have been playing more, I'm considering an upgrade to something more than an "intermediate" model.
You obviously know a lot more about horns than I; would you have a recommendation for me. Thanks.

Steve

thebugleboy

Do the "Martin" stencil trumpets hold to the same serial # list generally?
Bob

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tedh1951

Steve,

I'm not sure that you need to focus on the trumpet's description - "intermediate" is a bit subjective.

Does this trumpet work for you? Do you like the sound? Does it make you happy? Does it keep your audience happy?

If the answer is "yes" then stop, pay no more, make beautiful music with an old friend - the search for the perfect horn/mouthpiece/embouchure MAY be a fool's errand. I know this fool has been there (and is still hooked on acquisiton BTW) and can intellectualise the process but I sure am having difficulty resisting. Perhaps I should have stuck with the "old intermediate"? Naaahhhh!

.

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Ted

Steveg013

Thanks Ted,
I do like the horn's sound; just wondering though if it could be better. But i would have to say though, that I am satisfied with my old Martin Imperial trumpet. I remember feeling that same way about my boots 40 years ago while in another world. I appreciate your wisdom.
Thanks.

hpttgrl

Hello. :) Just a quick question, I own a Martin trumpet and the serial number is 191012. So that means I can assume it was made from 1954-1955...?

Thanks.

MFfan

Welcome to the forum. That number is consistent with published Martin lists for that time period.

__________________
Dave Rafferty
Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?)
Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan)

Besson 609 Trumpet
1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet
1948 Besson cornet
1946 King Master Cornet
www.kalamazooconcertband.org