youngbuck07

Hello there, everybody...

I have two horns I was hoping somebody could tell me about. The first is a Chris Kratt trumpet, made by the Huttl Company in West Germany (before the tearing down of the Berlin wall, obviously). My mother's childhood trumpet teacher used to recieve horns from manufacturers to test, as he was a well-known local pro. He sold this horn to my mother in the mid-1960's. I personally enjoy playing it, but there is little information on these horn. I was idly wondering if there was anyone who could tell me something about them.

The second horn i was wondering about was a Buescher. These horns seem to pop up all over the place on Ebay, and I just placed a bid on a True Tone, whose serial number seems to indicate that it was manufactured in 1926. I've heard that the Bueschers were good big band horns, and I was looking for a good vintage horn to play as I head of to college this next fall. I've been able to find information about the 400 series and the Aristocrat, but I was hoping to learn whether this horn would be a good swing/big band tool or whether I should just try to resell it. I was also wondering where it ranked among the other Buescher horns, whether it was intended as a pro/intermediate/beginner horn. I have a Buescher cornet that my grandfather played in the 1936 All-State (PA) band, and I love the sound of it, although it is a little stuffy to play (perhaps because of the pitting on the valves?) Anyway, any help in learning about these old horns would be much appreciated.

Zaraskabat

Here is a link from a site that you may or may not have found yet:
Specifications on instrument #

As for the cornet with the stuffy sound and pitted valves, I also have one, a Conn from 1921 that was replated 30 years ago and stored all that time. I just had the valves redone by Andersons through a local shop, less than 250 bucks with the shipping, and it is smoothe as silk now, one of my favorite horns since the valve job. You might want to consider investing what you would chance on a decent appearing horn on ebay, into one you already have and like. Just a thought?
Ken

VetPsychWars

If the Buescher plays well for you, use it. There isn't a one that isn't a good horn.

Tom

Solar Bell

I used to have a Chris Craft....no....wait....it was a boat.

Nevermind.

-cw-

Tootsall

I thought he was the guy who used to run Mission Control at NASA...