SteveB

One of my latest eBay wins includes this pretty unique Gretsch Pathfinder trumpet.

Like any other leap-of-faith blind purchase from eBay, I was initially apprehensive about my bid and subsequent win. However, with my meager $162 winning bid and my already existing love and loyalty to Gretsch instruments (Steve Bolander - Federal Employee, Brunswick, GA), I knew I just had to have it . . . . regardless of its condition.

But to my pleasant surprise, the horn arrived in what I would consider to be "excellent condition" . . . . considering that the horn is approximately 80 years old!! I delved into some heavy research on this horn, including actually contacting Fred Gretsch III, who dated this particular trumpet @ 1928-29.

Mr. Gretsch (who is not only the third generation owner of the Gretsch company, but who is also very approachable and helpful) told me that their trumpets were made for them by Couesnon during the 1920's and 1930's.

This particular trumpet is a Bb/A "convertible" (with the extra tuning slide). Obviously the silver plating has since succumbed to nearly a century of life, leaving it with an interesting patina-like matte finish. But surprisingly, there is not a single dent or ding on this horn.

Not only do all of the slides work flawlessly, but the valve action is very similar to what I've experienced in older Olds trumpets and cornets: near perfect!!

















I'm guessing that the above case is not original. However, included with this beautiful horn was a genuine Gretsch mouthpiece in near-mint condition!!

__________________
Steve Bolander

Bach Strad 37, Olds Mendez cornet, (2) Olds Ambassador cornets, Gretsch (Couesnon) Pathfinder Bb/A, Getzen Capri flugelhorn, Getzen Eterna 940 piccolo

Bugles Across America

s.coomer

Hope you enjoy your latest find.

krauseheim

I too am the proud owner of a Gretsch Pathfinder trumpet... an eBay find. I recall paying about $15, plus shipping. Other than the stamping on the bell, it does not resemble yours. My third valve slide is on the right side, is not built to be moved to lower the pitch on the C#/D, and has no water key. Aside from that, it's in pretty nasty condition... ugg-lee, looks like it oughta be on the wall at Applebees. But the valve action is wonderful, the slides are all snug and move well, and the horn plays wonderfully. I've been using it as my daily player lately... my new Getzen Custom is in the penalty box. I'd put up some photos of my "new" Gretsch if I knew how.

ComeBackKid

Here is a link to a post which gives step-by-step instructions on how to post photos.
http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f140...pet-48727.html (Boston Trumpet)

So, put them on already...we can't wait to see this beastie

__________________
Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

krauseheim

I started signing up for PhotoBucket, but ground to a halt when I ran into a screen that asked me to sign up for some sort of cell phone gaming deal at $9.99 a month. Ain't gonna do it. Therefore, unless there's a way around that, the photographic montage of the glorious ugliness that is my Gretsch Pathfinder shall, sadly, have to remain a mystery to my fellow trumpeteers here.

Tom Heimerman
Shoreview, MN

Getzen Custom, vintage 2005
Getzen Eterna Severinson, vintage 1968
Getzen Super Deluxe Tone-Balanced Trumpet (old tri-metal)
Getzen Super Deluxe Tone-Balanced Cornet (old tri-metal)
Goumat cornet (from the 1800's)
Marceau trumpet (Sears Roebuck's finest)
Harry Pedler trumpet
Gretsch Pathfinder trumpet
E Pluribus Unum unbranded and unplayable pocket trumpet
A bunch of ugly old trumpets in a cardboard box
Amati Kraslice pocket trumpet
A bunch of ugly old trumpets that made it out of the box and onto the wall

krauseheim

I dodged the $9.99 thing at PhotoBucket, and got it set up. Here's some pics of my Gretsch Pathfinder, the Ugly Deluxe model (which includes a professionally executed repair at the bend using what appears to be masking tape and some sort of glue... this may the secret to the trumpet's velvety tone).



Chicago AND Brooklyn!


Bell's in decent shape. Not a thin metal horn...


A few dents and scars, and everything's a bit bent off line...


Note interesting location of 3rd valve slide...


So... if anyone has a clue about further info on this horn's origins and vintage, I'd love to hear it.

ComeBackKid

Ah yes, the unique and inescapable sound of the 'tape and glue' trumpet. I think that there is a sonata for this instrument somewhere.

Seriously, the photos are very interesting. It's amazing how many approaches have been used for trumpet design over the years - and how well they continue to play even when things are bent a bit (or a lot) offline. I have a Selmer Bundy that looks like it was run over but you would never know to listen to it.

__________________
Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

MFfan

I once had one about the same a Krauseheim's, but in better shape. It was advertised as a trumpet, but turned out to be a long cornet, taking a cornet MP. Was a student line horn. I see he has posted on Horn-u-copia also, but a lot of Gretsch horns are now not there. There is a discussion of the one I used to have in the History thread, and others.

__________________
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