TromboneChat

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are parts (that look suspiciously like) Getzen, Conn, Shires, II. Seems like a bit of an "Allied Supply" parts horn.

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

I see Conn slide parts, Shires fittings, Olsen (Instrument Innovations) axial. Weird mishmash.