For sale is an extremely rare Martin Committee HANDCRAFT model. The serial is 140,xxx, dating it to 1941. The horn is very straight, no dents or dings. All the slides move freely, the valves are incredibly fast and this horn tracks great. The valves are tight and have compression like a new horn. There is no rotting of the tubing, it is all very straight and solid. The lacquer appears original and is about 75%. I have used this horn on Bette Midler's show, Toni Braxton, Jersey Boys and many other gigs. It plays very well in tune, if you blow lightly it is very dark, but if you put the screws to it it barks and is very brilliant. Has a great scale up to double high D. The underside of the bell at the second valve had a small crack starting, so I sent it to a gentleman in Anaheim California and he repaired it with a patch. Horn plays the same as before, no decrease in vibration at all. This is a very rare horn, this vintage is said to be the absolute best of the bunch. While there are no marking indicating bore, I would guess it is a medium bore, but the horn plays like a medium large and does not feel stuffy at all. Please see my gallery listed below for more pictures.

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Please check my other auction for the ultra rare Martin Magna!

CLICK HERE FOR MY MARTIN MAGNA TRUMPET AUCTION There are probably only a handful of these rare handcraft committees left in this kind of shape, a simple lacquer job would make this horn appear brand new. This is a real great playing horn, not just a collectable, but it would make a centerpiece in a great collection.

From the 1938 Martin catalog, introducing the Handcraft Committee:

Designed and built for YOU--to enhance YOUR playing and permit YOU to do the fullest justice to your ability and talent. The Committee--composed of player artists of symphony, radio and recording studio orchestras, dance bands, military and concert bands--who in collaboration with Martin craftsmen designed this trumpet, thought of everything and overlooked nothing in order to insure perfection of the instrument. To appreciate it, you must actually play it in regular routine.

DON'T LOOK!!--LISTEN!!

Don't look for "gadgets" because there are none. You will, however, find the traditional Martin craftsmanship incorporated in a trumpet of startling beauty. Listen for a tone of true trumpet character; resonant and bold (Ren Schilke with Chicago Symphony playing AIDA, etc.) Experience the flexibility which permits from this same instrument a quality as tender as a caress (Rafael Mendez playing DARK EYES, etc.) Listen to faultless intonation throughout all registers (Charlie Spivak, Kurt Schmeisser, Dana Garrett, Fred Berman, etc.) Test the response; the slightest attack produces tone but yet, you can give it all you've got and it will "take it" (Bunny Berigan, Charlie Teagarden, etc.) Actually, everything you could possibly want is built right into the Committee Martin. Mechanically, it's equally satisfying; the valve action is the finest ever--light, positive, fast and dependable. Listen to Rafael Mendez play "Flight of the Bumblebee"; no action but the very finest could keep pace with his technique. Pumps are made of a new alloy which will never discolor or corrode if a high grade oil is used as recommended.

EXCLUSIVE FEATURES

Martin built by the most skilled artist craftsmen in the band instrument industry! Designed to the specifications of top-notch players! Tested and retested during actual performances on the concert stage, in rehearsal halls, radio and recording studios, ballrooms, hotels and cafes! It's a trumpet built for sincere trumpet players who possess the ability to recognize and appreciate true musical and mechanical excellence.

The Committee came in the following bores:

a small bore, #1 (0.445)

medium bore #2 (0.451), sometimes designated with a star above the serial number

extra large bore #3 (0.468).

The most popular horns were the medium bore and the extra large bore. It is rumored that a medium large bore (0.460) horn was made, but they are very scarce, if they exist at all.

The Committee had solid nickel valves with hard nickel plating.

Instruments with serial numbers between 140,000 and 210,000 are apparently the most valued but good horns were produced later and earlier than those dates.

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