Bernhard Marston

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C
Chatname
Posts: 233
Joined: Oct 19, 2019

by Chatname »

What can you tell me about the Bernard Marston valves on the Mount Vernon horns? History behind? How do they differ from other Bach rotary valves? Were they made on request or on all Bach instruments with valves for a while?

How do you recognize one? And who is/was Bernie?

Thank you!
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tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

Bernhard "Bernie" Marston was an independent instrument rotary valve maker, who made valves for Vincent Bach during their Mt Vernon period, and also made valves for the F.E. Olds company that were used in their French Horns. I believe he was based in California, and his valves were more open than the Bach-made rotary valves on trombones, and a bit more desirable.

This is an article I found from a 2005 interview, which has some interesting information in it as well : http://rouses.net/trumpet/OLDS_VALVES.html
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JohnL
Posts: 2529
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by JohnL »

He also made valves for Carl Geyer (legendary Chicago-based French horn builder).
C
Chatname
Posts: 233
Joined: Oct 19, 2019

by Chatname »

Thank you!

What’s the difference in physical appearance between the Marston valve and the regular Bach rotaries? In other words, how do you recognize one? Pictures, anyone..?
E
elmsandr
Posts: 1373
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by elmsandr »

There was a thread here on this a while ago… some characteristics were a slightly different valve cap and the pentagonal interface on the spindle, IIRC.

Cheers,

Andy
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tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

[quote="elmsandr"]There was a thread here on this a while ago… some characteristics were a slightly different valve cap and the pentagonal interface on the spindle, IIRC.

Cheers,

Andy[/quote] This should be the thread: <LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?t=23231">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?t=23231</LINK_TEXT>

I can find a bit online, but mainly only listings of horns that have Marston valves, and not a detailed description, except that they are a bit larger than the in house valves.