"Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post Reply
User avatar
arpthark
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:20 am

"Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by arpthark »

I can't find anything online about Sonaré instruments outside of a few posts here that were inconclusive and a few on a trumpet forum. Apparently they are a stencil brand for various makers, including German trumpets, but any info on the trombones? I recently bought one that was pretty nice and has an axial valve. "Made in USA" -- who made them? Any info? Thanks!











GabrielRice
Posts: 1123
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:20 am
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Contact:

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by GabrielRice »

What I know about Sonare is mostly about trumpets. I believe the brand name was owned by Powell flutes, and they had trumpets assembled - probably from mostly German parts - by Jim Becker. Jim was then primarily employed at Osmun Brass and is now at the New York Yamaha shop.

I vaguely remember hearing something about a trombone. That looks like the Infinity axial valve also used by Bach. If it was assembled by Jim like the trumpets, you can count on careful, accurate work. I see parts on it that look like they were sourced from the Shires factory, which also tracks.

But I also see what looks like damage that wasn't repaired as cleanly as the rest of the instrument.
Dennis
Posts: 302
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 6:23 pm
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by Dennis »

To expand on Gabe's post, the Sonaré trademark was Powell's name for their made-in-China flutes (as Eastman/Haynes "Amadeus" line of flutes). When Buffet-Crampon purchased Powell (2015 or so) they acquired the Sonaré trademark along with the other Powell IP and facilities. Buffet used the Sonaré name as one of several attempts to enlarge their share of the US brasswind market.

It looks like a pretty decent trombone, but as always the proof is in the playing.
User avatar
arpthark
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:20 am

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by arpthark »

Yes, a few instances of sloppy repair but the bones (heh) are pretty good, I think.

I contacted my friend who works at Shires about it based on the online chatter and they said they really aren't sure about it.
walldaja
Posts: 464
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: New Albany, Ohio

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by walldaja »

Sonare trumpets have two branches, German by B&S with Blackburn leadpipe, cryogenic, and micro-adjustable valves which are great and then the US made which claimed made by Blessing but I suspect we're actually made somewhere else. They were meh at best. Trombones, who knows.
Dave

2020ish? Shires Q30GR with 2CL
1982 King 607F with 13CL
Yamaha 421G Bass with Christian Lindberg 2CL / Bach 1 1/2G
Bach Soloist with 13CL
1967 Olds Ambassador with 10CL
1957 Besson 10-10
Jean Baptiste EUPCOMS with Stork 4
hornbuilder
Posts: 1028
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by hornbuilder »

There are parts (that look suspiciously like) Getzen, Conn, Shires, II. Seems like a bit of an "Allied Supply" parts horn.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
User avatar
ithinknot
Posts: 1111
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2020 3:40 pm

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by ithinknot »

hornbuilder wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2024 2:38 pm There are parts (that look suspiciously like) Getzen, Conn, Shires, II. Seems like a bit of an "Allied Supply" parts horn.
and parts, as we know, is parts
User avatar
Burgerbob
Posts: 5131
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:10 pm
Location: LA
Contact:

Re: "Sonaré / Made in USA" trombone info

Post by Burgerbob »

I see Conn slide parts, Shires fittings, Olsen (Instrument Innovations) axial. Weird mishmash.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
Post Reply

Return to “Instruments”