| Offered for your bidding consideration is a Bach Mercedes (not the Mercedes II, which was a glorified Bundy) model cornet. This is the late example of the Mt. Vernon type Mercedes with the solid brass Stradivarius valve block, and brass slides. I purcheased this horn to use in our Brass Band summer concert season (I play mostly Eb, but when we don't have an Eb part, I play Bb cornet) while my Strad cornet was getting a new silverplate job. I have collected trumpets for over 50 years. I have a special fascination for cornets, and although I have several trumpets and other instruments, I often use my cornets for playing in the brass band I perform in. The serial number is 1727XX (1979). All of the slides have been freed and polished to work freely, and the slides and valves were ultrasonically cleaned and heated to clean them. There are no dents or cracks or creases or dinks or other damage I can see, with the exception that it seems as if the bell has a slight downward cant, which I would not have noticed except that the third slide water key has to be depressed to pull the slide out. The lacquer is showing its age. Compression is AMAZINGLY good! I did replace the first slide with one that has a thumb saddle on it, but otherwise matched exactly, from a later Bach cornet I had.These Mercedes cornets (and trumpets) were basically "machine made Strads", with lightweight all brass valve sets (not the valves, they are monel exactly like Strads), but the bells are two piece spun brass rather than the Strad's hand hammered one piece bell. If I wasn't so attached to my Strad, I'd sell it and get this horn silverplated, but I've played an early sixties Strad cornet since 1965 and don't want to give it up!. The original black leather bound plywood case and a period correct Bach 6C (apparently unused) mouthpiece is included. I will package this horns well for shipping. THIS INSTRUMENT IS SOLD AS IS. THIS DESCRIPTION IS AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE. I AM A LONG TIME TRUMPET PLAYER AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, AND CONTINUE TO PLAY AND COLLECT INSTRUMENTS OF ALL QUALITIES AND AGES. THE INSTRUMENT WILL BE PROPERLY PACKED, AND INSURED FOR THE SALE PRICE. I will ship internationally (some countries) and US buyer to free shipping cost. I require insurance for the sale value. I insist on insurance for the sale price at least. Other locations please contact me. I WILL NOT insure this instrument for less than the sale price. I will ship this outside of the US using EBay's Global Shipping program. . Payment by PayPal only!! Please e-mail me with questions. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!! |
