This would definitely not have a serial number, as it was not created in a factory and wouldn’t need to be documented in that way. Other trumpets might have been handcrafted or made by a hobbyist who wanted to take a shot at making their own instrument.

Not all trumpets will still retain their serial numbers after many years of use or abuse.įor example, a trumpet from a historic war may definitely have lost a lot of its polish and even its serial number, making it incredibly difficult to tell when or where it was made. If you can’t find the serial number or it has been damaged, you might want to get the trumpet appraised to find its real age or value. This would be on the pipe wherein the mouthpiece is inserted. However, some trumpets will have serial numbers printed next to the mouthpiece. Trumpets are unique in that their serial numbers are on the valve. They can also be located on the mouthpiece receiver on the trombone. trombones, which are located on the slide receiver on the instrument’s body. The serial number on trumpets are located on either side of their center valves. Where Do I Find the Serial Number on Trumpets? Using the instrument’s materials helps you get a ballpark idea of the age, but a serial number will give you the exact year or decade it was made.

Silver-plated trumpets are older than your average 1950s brass trumpet, and anything made from animal parts (horn, bones, etc.) is most likely an ancient instrument or something recently crafted by hand to look historic. You can also tell the age of a trumpet by the material that they are made from.

That isn’t to say that accidents won’t happen, but it will be hard to determine that trumpet’s real age if you aren’t an expert. If the serial number is scratched off, incorrect to what it should be, or missing entirely, you may not want to buy that trumpet. If you are in the market for a historic trumpet and want to make sure that you are getting the real thing, research the serial numbers of the brand you are buying and cross-check that with the serial number on the instrument. If it has a longer serial number, such as #175000, that would indicate it is much newer, such as from 1980 in this case. This would be one of the oldest models of the Bach line. For example, a Bach trumpet from 1926 may have a #500 serial number. Serial numbers are a great way to tell the age of a trumpet.ĭepending on the serial number and company, you can learn a lot about your model. When is a Trumpet Too Old to Be of Any Use?.Are Old Trumpets Worth More than New Trumpets?.

Where Do I Find the Serial Number on Trumpets?.

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