Bach Stradivarius Mt. Vernon Bb Bass Trumpet, Used

Item Details

This is the Stradivarius model bass trumpet made by the Vincent Bach Corporation in Mt. Vernon, New York, about 1960.  It was most recently owned by LA studio trombonist George Thatcher.

This 3-piston valve Bb model has a .485" bore and a 7" 1-piece bell.  It's made of yellow brass with nickel trim.  The piston balusters are the classic 2-piece style with the nickel uppers.  The leadpipe is interesting.  It looks to be made of stainless steel - a different color metal than the nickel.

This trumpet has also been modified slightly with an added third slide trigger.  It's not clear who did it but it's very cleanly made.

Condition: good, with some evidence of repairs including unsoldering of crooks.  This is not uncommon with this model.  They weren't always the right length out of the box and needed some adjustments.  The lacquer is worn, with tarnish in many areas.  Piston action is good, slides are good, no dents beyond minor.

The first two photos were taken after a full ultrasonic cleaning and and tune-up at Brass Mavens in Whittier, CA.  The balance were taken upon its arrival here, before tune-up.

Includes original Bach case and George's 6-1/2AL mouthpiece. 

I read that Conn-Selmer has discontinued the current model Bach B188 bass trumpet.  That's tragic.  You should have this one.  It's a great player.

If you'd like to make an offer for the Bach bass trumpet, please send us a note.

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Who used to make bass trumpets in the US?

Bach, Conn, Getzen, Holton and Kanstul

I guess we're stuck with King flugabones now.  :-/

Biography of George Thatcher

George Thatcher, 1953-2024, trombonist, performed as a Hollywood freelance recording and symphonic musician, whose career has transverses a wide variety of styles as well as a number of continents. Since returning to Los Angeles in 1988, Thatcher has recorded for such motion picture luminaries as John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Randy Newman, Thomas Newman and Danny Elfman, on such film as Jurassic Park, Anastasia, Men in Black and the Shawshank Redemption. He records for television, advertising and records, having performed with such artist as Barbara Streisand, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, and Frank Sinatra. Thatcher's orchestral associations include performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Long Beach Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, Opera Pacific, the Pacific Symphony, and @the American Ballet Theater, San Francisco and Kirov ballet companies. His work abroad includes positions of principal bass trombone with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, principal bass trombone with the National Symphony Orchestra of the S.A.B.C., and principal bass trombone with the Orchestra Sinfonica Municipal de Caracas. Thatcher records for Raptoria Caam Records as a solo artist and as principal bass trombone of the Viklarbo Chamber Symphony. An active symphonic soloist, Thatcher recently performed Maria Newman's Concerto for Bass trombone and Orchestra (Peccavi) with both the Viklarbo Chamber Symphony and the Occidental-Caltech Orchestra in Los Angeles. He also appeared as soloist with the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra, the Palisades Symphony and the Chamber George Thatcher Orchestra at St. Matthew's, and has been featured at many well known music festivals nationwide. On the jazz scene, Thatcher has toured extensively with famed trumpeters Harry James and Al Hirt. While residing in Johannesburg, South Africa he recorded two original solo albums for the S.A.B.C. Thatcher's later compact discs include "Even Call Girls Get the Blues" and "Terrorist".

-Rene Laanen