Getzen Trombone Serial Numbers

[PNut]

I just came across an old Getzen Trombone, but the serial number only has numbers, but no letters.

I can't find a source to identify it.

Can anyone help me out? Serial Number 108175.

Here is a photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EP5bvH8CNB7Ld1LR9

Thx in advance.

[BGuttman]

It's an Elkhorn, which was a student line of the day.

A lot of the Getzen records were destroyed in a fire some 50 years ago, so you will need somebody who has worked with them.

Good luck.

[brassmedic]

Have you looked at this?

https://www.brasshistory.net/Getzen%20Brass%20List.pdf

[BGuttman]

Thanks for that, Brad.

I didn't realize the Dude mark was that old.

In 1955, the New York City Board of Education bought a huge number of Super Deluxe Tone Balanced Trumpets and Trombones and used them to create the school band program. My Public School had a pair of SDTB trombones with the Board of Education stamp and I learned on one of them.

My first trombone was a piece of crap that was called "Deluxe" but wasn't. Bought new in 1957 or so. Had all straight bent hex stock braces, no tuning slide, no cork barrel. and many more features of cheapness. It would have made an Indian horror story of today look lavish.

[Macbone1]

My first trombone was an Elkhorn. Scratched up finish with a continuously rubbing slide, at least it had a tuning slide! And nickel silver outer slide tubes, dual bore with the tapered slide crook, features normally considered too fancy for a student model. Parents recognized my progress on the horn and bought me a brand new Olds Ambassador, which seemed like a trip to heaven by comparison.