The Bach Legend

Guide to Dating Trumpets, Cornets

Please use this chart in determining the approximate age of Bach trombones based on serial numbers.

Year Serial Number
1926
1927
1928
1930
1935
1940
1941
1945
1950
1953
1955
1960
1961
1964
1965
1970
1974
1975
1980
1981
1983
1985
1990
1994		 500
600
900
1,450
2,250
4,650
5,500
6,500
9,100
12,000
13,600
19,500
21,000
24,000
30,000
50,000
100,000
112,000
175,000
200,000
230,000
250,000
336,000
420,000

Note: Vincent Bach used the trade names of Stradivarius, Mercedes, Mercury, Minerva, and Apollo. For some reason, Vincent jumped around a little on serial numbers. For example, in 1928 the Apollo serial numbers were 8600 - 8700. In 1939 the Mercury models had serial numbers in the 10,000s. The first Minerva (#2722) was built in 1958.

Other Relevant Dates
1918
 Vincent began mouthpiece production in NYC.
1922
 Moved to second factory.
1924
 First trumpets completed.
1928
 Trombone designs completed.
1928
 Moved to 3rd factory in the Bronx.
1953
 Moved to factory in Mount Vernon, NY.
1961
 Vincent Bach Corp. Purchased by Selmer.
1965 Production began in Elkhart