Bach 42 Bell Stamping

JTeagarden · by **JTeagarden** » 2025-04-24 12:09 p.m.

In my feverish efforts to assemble a mixed family of Bach horns, I have run across a Bach 42 with what appears to be a stock valve, but the bell (Corporation) simply reads "Bach 42," as opposed to say "Bach 42B."

Is this a definite sign that the valve was added to a straight 42? If so, there is no sign of the modification on the bell, so maybe it was also relacquered?

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-04-24 12:21 p.m.

Bell stampings almost never reveal what the horn was built as. It's almost definitely stock.

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2025-04-24 12:28 p.m.

I have never seen a bell marked "42B". They're marked "42" if they're yellow brass "42G" if gold brass, regardless of there being a valve on the horn or not. They don't make bells specifically for straight trombones or valved trombones

JTeagarden · by **JTeagarden** » 2025-04-24 12:46 p.m.

OK, that makes sense

ajeden82 · by **ajeden82** » 2025-04-24 12:58 p.m.

I have a bell stamped 42B on an early Elkhart transition 42B, here's the image:

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2025-04-24 1:06 p.m.

Huh!! There you go. There is always at least one exception to the rule!!

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-04-24 1:48 p.m.

Three more examples that prove the lack of rules:

corp 42 bell, from a stock 42B:

corp 45 bell, from a stock 45B. These were not ever offered as a straight 45, no reason to leave off the B:

corp 50BG bell, very clearly gold brass, only marked 50B:

JTeagarden · by **JTeagarden** » 2025-04-24 1:57 p.m.

All bets are off!

NotSkilledHere · by **NotSkilledHere** » 2025-04-24 2:03 p.m.

at least the bell is marked with the model number if not the model specifications lol.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-04-24 2:04 p.m.

[quote="NotSkilledHere"]at least the bell is marked with the model number if not the model specifications lol.[/quote]

Even funnier, that's not always true either! I don't have any currently but there are definitely horns with the

Stradivarius

Model

and nothing stamped. I think the earlier bass trumpets are like this.

NotSkilledHere · by **NotSkilledHere** » 2025-04-24 2:34 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="NotSkilledHere" post_id="274128" time="1745517781" user_id="18404">
at least the bell is marked with the model number if not the model specifications lol.[/quote]

Even funnier, that's not always true either! I don't have any currently but there are definitely horns with the

Stradivarius

Model

and nothing stamped. I think the earlier bass trumpets are like this.
</QUOTE>

actually now you mention it, I do recall seeing a few like that too. i could be wrong but arent those usually like super early horns like NY or early MV era? i seem to recall seeing it mostly on trumpets. i could be wrong that in some cases they actualy didnt put the model number but actually the mandrel number?

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2025-04-24 3:43 p.m.

Aiden, you Liar!

I have a straight, stock MtV 45.

Stamped 45B:
<ATTACHMENT filename="Bach 45 Serial No 6460 Engraving 2.jpeg" index="1">~~[attachment=1]~~Bach 45 Serial No 6460 Engraving 2.jpeg</ATTACHMENT>

But the horn is a stick straight 45!

<ATTACHMENT filename="Bach 45 Serial No 6460 1.jpeg" index="0">~~[attachment=0]~~Bach 45 Serial No 6460 1.jpeg</ATTACHMENT>

Yeah, stamping from Bach are funny across time….

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-04-24 4:44 p.m.

[quote="elmsandr"]Aiden, you Liar!

I have a straight, stock MtV 45.

Stamped 45B:

Bach 45 Serial No 6460 Engraving 2.jpeg

But the horn is a stick straight 45!

Bach 45 Serial No 6460 1.jpeg

Yeah, stamping from Bach are funny across time….[/quote]

The exception that proves the lack of rules

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2025-04-24 5:11 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]

The exception that proves the lack of rules[/quote]
Yeah, I try to catch myself. I think any time anybody says “Bach never did _____” we immediately find an example to the contrary. Them guys would do most anything for money or fun.

Now, to build a double slide to put this thing in Eb so that it can actually leave the house more often…

Andy

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2025-04-24 8:27 p.m.

Yeah. Lesson learned. <EMOJI seq="1f642" tseq="1f642">🙂</EMOJI>

Until next time...

DaveAshley · by **DaveAshley** » 2025-04-25 9:08 a.m.

Speaking of Bach stamping, I saw a new 42BO at a local store yesterday, and I couldn't believe how weak and ugly todays Bach bell engraving looks.

Crazy4Tbone86 · by **Crazy4Tbone86** » 2025-04-25 5:50 p.m.

I agree Dave. Are those new engravings stamped or laser etched?

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2025-04-25 7:50 p.m.

This is what is being done on the new trumpet models. Laser etched. I think it looks better than some of the single points engraving they have used previously. Still not as classy as the old stamped version

Reading on the trumpet herald that some believe the stamping can harden the metal, and reduce the resonance. I've also heard the idea that the area of hardened metal was what gave Bach bells some.of their character. <EMOJI seq="1f937" tseq="1f937">🤷</EMOJI>

hornbuilder · 2025-04-25 7:51 p.m.

And the photo..

rudytbone · by **rudytbone** » 2025-05-01 12:16 p.m.

Adding mine - a Gold Heavy <ATTACHMENT filename="BachBell2.jpg" index="0">~~[attachment=0]~~BachBell2.jpg</ATTACHMENT>

JoeAumann · by **JoeAumann** » 2025-05-13 10:14 p.m.

[quote="hornbuilder"]I have never seen a bell marked "42B". They're marked "42" if they're yellow brass "42G" if gold brass, regardless of there being a valve on the horn or not. They don't make bells specifically for straight trombones or valved trombones[/quote]

They were good about stamping a 42B with "42B" in Mt. Vernon times.

ajeden82 · by **ajeden82** » 2025-05-13 10:43 p.m.

To add more weirdness to this conversation, my slide is marked 42B and not just simply 42. It's a four digit serial number.

[img]<IMGUR id="a/RzOsdxD">https://imgur.com/a/RzOsdxD/img]</IMGUR>

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-05-13 11:09 p.m.

My 45 slide is marked 45B as well.

ajeden82 · by **ajeden82** » 2025-05-13 11:14 p.m.

Bach weirdness is Bach weirdness.

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2025-05-13 11:26 p.m.

[/quote]

They were good about stamping a 42B with "42B" in Mt. Vernon times.

[/quote]

Good point! I was commenting, perhaps too specifically, about how they do things in Elkhart.

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