Bach Trumpet Valve Design & Manufacturing Evolution
Significant variations in valve design and construction have occurred over the years with Vincent Bach-branded trumpets. Below is a simple summary of Bach valve variations. Contact us through the website if you have further variations to share.
In the early years of Vincent Bach’s trumpet & cornet manufacturing, Vincent continued to experiment with different valve designs on his trumpets. They included the A, B, C, D, and E model valves in his early trumpets. There are other examples on shopcards where Vincent experimented with various designs and construction.
Examples below are from Vincent’s shop cards. Vincent finalized on the “E” model valve model as he was moving his factory to the Bronx.
Valve Model | Serial # | Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
A | 1 | 1924 | |
B | 672 | Nov. 1926 | |
C | 1001 | Feb. 1930 | |
D | 714 | Dec. 1926 | |
E | 1940 | Nov. 1932 |
” Some brass instrument manufacturers make good pistons and some poor pistons, but nobody makes perfect pistons. Most are ground with a microscopic waist that is slightly smaller around the middle so that they fit precisely only at either end. We have learned to reverse this shape so that the bearing surface is near the midpoint, and we can control the air tightness at the valve ports and freedom of motion.
This sophisticated automatic grinder does the job so well that we use it for our costliest Stradivarius models and so efficiently that we use it for our low-cost student models, too.
It is generally understood that prior to S/N 121,7XX (approximately 1977), valve casings were made from two pieces. The top part was made of machined nickel silver. However, it was recently brought to our attention that prior to S/N 121, XXX, some valve casings may have been one piece and out of the same material.
The Bach Stradivarius 190 / Artisan series reintroduced the 2 piece valve casing in 2010.
In the 1980s, the metal (brass) valve guides were replaced with nylon plastic guides for further cost/performance reasons.
The serial number of the trumpet was stamped on the 2nd valve barrel until the late 49XXX when it was replaced by engraving.
| NY | Horizontal Serial Number above Bore Size on Upper Right side of valve casing | |
| Mt Vernon | Elkhart 2XXXXX’s | Bore Size above Horizontal Serial Number on Upper Right Side of valve casing |
| 2XXXXX’s | 3XXXXX’s | Horizontal Serial Number on Upper Right side, Bore Size on Lower Right side of valve casing |
| 4XXXXX’s | 5XXXXX’s | Vertical Serial Number on Lower Left side, Bore Size on Lower Right side of valve casing |
| 6XXXXX’s | Current | Vertical Serial Number above Bore Size on Lower Left side of valve casing |
The instrument serial numbers were also stamped on each valve, as shown in this photograph. A recent discussion forum provided some more insight into when this stopped (1970).
If you have updated information on this, please get in touch with us. We’re trying to narrow this down, as there seem to be inconsistencies.
- On valve = 49880
- On valve = 50434
- Not on valve = 50782
- Not on valve = 51012
In addition, the valve caps also had the matching serial numbers applied to the underside. The time period these were applied appears to be different than the matching serial numbers on the valve itself.
- On Cap = 1816x
- Not on Cap = 198xx
An example where the ser5ial number is stamped on the:
- Valve
- Valve Stem
- Valve Cap, Top
- Finger Button
Serial # 7280
source: eBay
Throughout the Mt Vernon period, the second valve was stamped just below the center bell brace as follows as shown in the photograph below.
- V. Bach
Mt. Vernon
N.Y. U.S.A
Misstamped examples
There are examples (very few) that have the V. Bach, New York stamp on all three valve upper valve balusters. The examples below are from the 1950s.
source: from the collections of Rich Harris, Takeuchi Yasuyuki
In the 1940’s both the following options were available for Bach Trumpets.
- Nickelplate pistons (nickel over silver base)
- Chromiumplate pistons
In Jan. 1953, all valves were made of Monel.
source: Vincent Bach Corporation, Selmer, Conn Selmer
source: various images cortesy of Erik Veldkamp
source: Early Bach Images courtesy of Jeff Dacks
source: various posts on TrumpetHerald.com
source: various Bach loyalists (Pascolat, Fukushima, Dacks, etc.)
