Bach Stradivarius ID

[rhumbaclave]

I have a Silver 42G Bach Stradivarius with S/N 1981 that is in really good condition with what looks like the original case. Does that mean this is a 1940's built horn? Anything I should know about it. I am a band director and it was given to my son who plays trombone. Any idea on Value?

[tbonesullivan]

Is this number on the slide by the model number, or on the bell section? The serial number should be on the left side of the slide under "MODEL 42". This sometimes can however get worn completely away over the years.

If there is a marking on the bell section like that, it is usually just a control number for the bell and/or valve if it has one.

[BGuttman]

If it was 1940s, the engraving would say Bach, New York, NY. My guess is it does not.

The 4 digit number is probably not the serial. The serial number appears on the slide section. Should be 5 or so digits.

Note that a "straight" 42 of any flavor is not as popular as the 42B with an F-attachment. But it is a good candidate for conversion using an aftermarket valve. There are Axial Flow, enhanced Rotors, and Haagmann valves.

As a straight 42 it's probably worth $750-1000.

[hornbuilder]

Bach bell sections do not have serial numbers. So a straight 42 will only have the bell engraving as an age identifier. The number on the valve casing of valves instruments is a batch number for the rotor/casing

[hornbuilder]

Can you post a picture of the engraving?

[JoeAumann]

I'll add that at that time in Bach history, with serial numbers that low, the 42 did not yet exist. Hopefully the above posts clear this up for the OP. I'm guessing they may have read a valve casing number.

[rhumbaclave]

Thanks everyone. I did mess that up. S/n is 24230 I will upload photos when I figure it out. I don’t have the attachments tab? Anyway the horn is in great condition and is Silver.

[BGuttman]

Thanks everyone. I did mess that up. S/n is 24230 I will upload photos when I figure it out. I don’t have the attachments tab? Anyway the horn is in great condition and is Silver.

You need 3 approved posts to get PM's and view/upload pictures. We had to do this because of 'bots and spam. Sorry.

[rhumbaclave]

That totally makes sense. I hate spam. Perhaps this should be my third.

[rhumbaclave]

What do you all think a fair price range would be for this?

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[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Looks like a very nice corporation 42!

[Crazy4Tbone86]

Serial number is 24,230. Probably early 1970s. Looks to be in great condition.

[Leanit]

"Silver 42G" isn't a thing, as far as I'm aware. The "G" designates a gold-brass bell, having a little more copper in its brass. Anything silver about it would be plating, but I'm not aware of one like that from the factory.

[GabrielRice]

More like 1976: https://bachloyalist.com/serial-numbers-trombone/

The proof is in the playing, but you don't see many corporation era 42Bs in silver plate, and not in this kind of clean condition. This one is the gold brass bell/lightweight slide version, which is very nice but not necessarily the most sought after combination.

Ambitiously, it might sell for as much as $2500 or even $3000. More often you see these listed for around $1500, though not often in this kind of pristine condition.

[tbonesullivan]

Looks like a Bach Corporation LT42BG that is silver plated. That IS an option that Bach does from the factory for some horns. Not sure if there is any way to tell whether it is factory silver plating, or whether it was plated for marching band.

Nice horn! The Nickel Slide (LT) is popular to mix with the Gold brass bell.

[JoeAumann]

"Silver 42G" isn't a thing, as far as I'm aware. I "G" designates a gold-brass bell, having a little more copper in its brass. Anything silver about it would be plating, but I'm not aware of one like that from the factory.

You are incorrect. They're not common, but do exist. You could order one this way if you really desired.

[JoeAumann]

I would try to get 2k for it by selling. Bear in mind, replacement value is significantly higher. What's msrp on a new 42B these days? It's almost 4k I believe. So I'd be insuring it for that if it were mine. Have your son take good care of it; it's really in stunning condition.

[tbonesullivan]

I would try to get 2k for it by selling. Bear in mind, replacement value is significantly higher. What's msrp on a new 42B these days? It's almost 4k I believe. So I'd be insuring it for that if it were mine. Have your son take good care of it; it's really in stunning condition.

These days an LT42BG is about 4.5K, as for some reason Bach has always considered the Gold brass bell and lightweight slide an "upcharge".

[GabrielRice]

These days an LT42BG is about 4.5K, as for some reason Bach has always considered the Gold brass bell and lightweight slide an "upcharge".
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure nickel is more expensive than brass, and I wouldn't be surprised if gold brass - particularly the alloy Bach uses, which is not the same as Shires gold brass or Edwards rose brass - is more expensive than yellow.

[rhumbaclave]

It’s a 42G for sure.

[tbonesullivan]

It’s a 42G for sure.

The bell definitely is, but Bach uses the "42G" designation for the straight trombone without a valve, and with a standard brass slide with nickel oversleeves.

When a trombone has a traditional wrap that adds a "B" after the number, but before the bell material designation of G. They also have a Solid Silver bell, which has a bell designation of "R"

When trombone has a lightweight slide without oversleeves, that adds "LT" before the number.

So, silver plated LT42BG is what you have.

[hornbuilder]

Bach do not mark the "B" on the bell on 42B's...

[GabrielRice]

What Bach lists as the model number and what they stamp on the bell are not the same thing.

[rhumbaclave]

Thanks everyone for educating me. LT42BG it is. I will list it here for $2200! Appreciate it!

[Leanit]

"Silver 42G" isn't a thing, as far as I'm aware. I "G" designates a gold-brass bell, having a little more copper in its brass. Anything silver about it would be plating, but I'm not aware of one like that from the factory.

You are incorrect. They're not common, but do exist. You could order one this way if you really desired.

I'm incorrect that I wasn't aware of any? I'll try to do better.

[JoeAumann]

You are incorrect. They're not common, but do exist. You could order one this way if you really desired.

I'm incorrect that I wasn't aware of any? I'll try to do better.

You were incorrect that they "are not a thing." I did not insult you.