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Bidding has ended on this item. The seller has relisted this item or one like this. Item:VINTAGE C & B-flat TRUMPET by COUESNON (PARIS) Pre-1960 |
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Wichita Band Instrument Company
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WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
VINTAGE COUESNON COMBINATION C & B-flat TRUMPET, MADE IN FRANCE BEFORE 1960. In business for more than half a century, our small music shop in Wichita sold quite a number of Couesnon brasses back in the early sixties. They were imported to the States by the Fred Gretsch Company and distributed to music shops all over the US. We had a good relationship with the Gretsch firm, still sell Gretsch guitars. Our trumpet is one of their Top-of-the-Line “Monopole Conservatories” model and is absolutely like new. No idea of the age, but we think it must be from the mid fifties, perhaps even earlier. Hard to tell about the age of this model, since it was in production for several decades. Their 1934 catalog does show an identical instrument, model 111, on page 16. Bell is stamped “328x / (Couesnon logo) / COUESNON / ET CIE / PARIS / MONOPOLE / CONSERVATORIE”. The instrument has come to us in very good, nearly pristine, original condition. There are no worn areas to the original plate and it’s never had any major dents. A couple of minor dings to the bell spout have been burnished out by us. We measure the bore size, at the second slide, as .440 inches. Bell diameter is 4 5/8 inches. Pistons are bottom-sprung, but came to us in original unplated brass. We’ve sent the instrument to Anderson Plating (Elkhart) and they’ve done a full re-build and nickel plate to the pistons. The valves are now “better than new”. This one comes a new-ish French case. The mouthpiece receiver accepts a standard American-type shank allowing the new owner a wide choice of mouthpieces. A good 7C mouthpiece is included with the trumpet. As with all C / B-flat trumpets, it’s the smaller side of the instrument that responds better. And with the .440 bore size and the slim taper to the bell spout, it’s best recommended for a player who wants the 1940’s / 1950’s French sound. Think “Maurice Andre”, only a bit earlier, even. Perfect for somebody wanting an inexpensive pro-quality trumpet or for a serious jazz player who likes a bright tone-color. Or for the symphony trumpet player who’s got to have “original French” to play Ravel, Debussy or Faure. $895. ************************************************************** Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 18 employees including seven of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year. Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years: "ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace - whichever in our estimation is the more advisable - pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section. Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees." Wichita Band’s service warranty does cover dents and dings. If your instrument sustains damage we’ll burnish out the dents and make it look "like new" again. The cost you is absolutely nothing except shipping and insurance charges. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially "free" for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our "service after the sale" promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 3 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument "on approval" for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for Ebay, clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument. Ebay authorized payment methods: PayPal or credit/debit card processed through our internet merchant account. Buyers outside of the USA are responsible for all import duties and customs clearance charges in their respective countries. We may refuse paypal and/or credit card payments from some countries. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask "what’s granny’s mellophone worth?" Do an Ebay search and you’ll be able to figure it out for yourself. Please note: Many scam artists are now sending fake "Ebay second chance" offers or "Ebay/Paypal invoices" to high bidders and other bidders on closed and active ebay items. If we send you an "Ebay invoice" or "second chance offer" it will be from wbic@wichitaband.com. Please call us on our 800 number (800-835-3006) or (001-316-684-0291 for international buyers) or email us directly at wbic@wichitaband.com, to speak or write to us in person about any auction, and please verify any second chance offers from us. Customers wishing to use US Postal Service: Please be advised that we will be happy to send your item by the US Postal Service if you so desire. However, please be informed that if your item is lost, stolen or damaged in transit, it could take one year or longer to finalize the claim with the US Postal Service. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items when shipped with the US Postal Service. Because of this problem, we cannot recommend the US Postal Service for anything other than inexpensive items. Please see our other auctions: Current E-bay auctions. Feel free to call or e-mail for any additional information.
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