Vincent Bach Instrument Endorsements
While it is commonly known that Vincent Bach endorsed and played a variety of instrument brands throughout his life, he played the following brands as a musician. Examples of instruments and media coverage of his instruments are shown below.
- Gebr. Alexander (~ 1910s to 1914)
- C. G. Conn (~ 1914 to 1915)
- Frank Holton (~ 1915 to < 1920)
- Besson (~ 1920’s – 1924)
As a highly skilled and renowned cornet soloist, Vincent Bach made a name for himself playing an Alexander cornet in the mid-1910s (specifically from 1912-1914). Vincent’s exceptional talent and dedication to his craft are on full display in the GEBR. Alexander’s factory showcase is in Mainz, Germany, where his prized cornet is preserved.
Also, Vincent used the stage name “Vincent Bach” occasionally during this time period, including on this Alexander-sponsored post card.
The same photograph of Vincent Bach and his Alexander model cornet hangs in the lobby of the Elkhart facility. Photo taken in the Fall of 2023.
” Gebrüder Alexander zur Erinnerung an einen Alexander Enthusiast
Vincent Bach
Mai 1956 “
A rough English translation would be.
” For the Alexander brothers, so they remember an Alexander Enthusiast.”
Vincent Bach
May 1956 “
source: Mr. Hans Herrmann from GEBR. Alexander
source: BachLoyalist Elkhart visit October 2023. Vincent Bach was an endorser of C.G. Conn instruments early in his arrival in the US late in 1914 and early 1915.
The example below, from August 1915, shows Vincent Bach endorsements in both a C. G. Conn advertisement and a Holton advertisement in the same publication. It is expected that Vincent switched to endorsing Frank Holton & Co. instruments shortly after August 1915.
Vincent Bach played a C. G. Conn Victor New Wonder Cornet model during his time as an endorser of C. G. Conn instruments. Vincent’s cornet is in the Vincent Bach collection in current Bach factory in Elkhart, IN.
In August 1915, Vincent Bach appeared in both C.G. Conn and Holton advertisements, promoting each company’s instruments.
It is expected that starting in August 1915, Vincent was promoting Holton instruments exclusively.
” Herr Bach prefers the Holton Trumpet to every other make. Every trumpeter in the Boston Symphony uses the Holton. The newest models embody exclusive improvements, perfected in the last few months. You will learn much of interest at Herr Bach’s Demonstration this morning. “
In late 1920 or early 1921, a Vincent Bach model French Besson trumpet was briefly available from Vincent Bach. This model had “Fabrication Francaise Perfectionee” stamped on the bell. Other unique characteristics included a 3rd valve ring mounted to the top of the 3rd valve slide.
French Besson Trumpet
Vincent Bach Model
Fabrication Francaise Perfectionee
“The Queen of all trumpets, special made model for Vincent Bach. The greatest symphony artist use, with a few exceptions, Besson trumpets, the most perfect instruments. We have only a small number on hand and, if you desire to purchase on write for it today.”
Below is what is strongly believed to be an example from J Landress Brass of the French Besson Vincent Bach model. This was a French Besson Fabrication model in which a disassembled French Besson trumpet was exported to manufacturers to complete the final assembly.
This experience in late 1920 / early 1921 most likely allowed Vincent Bach to understand the intricacies of designing and manufacturing trumpets and identify improvement opportunities in what was considered one of the leading global brass instrument manufacturers.
At that time, other Trumpet manufacturers in New York City were also importing Besson trumpets, without French Besson labeled on the bell, due to import tariffs on French instruments. Joseph Rapuano was one of those doing this during WWI. Coincidentally, Vincent Bach used Rapuano mutes in his first catalog in 19125.
“There are several trumpets marked “Fabrication Francaise Perfectionee” that are said to have been the work of Joseph Rapuano. The lowest serial number is around 79000 and should date to after WWI. These usually have a slide ring on the first slide for tuning.”
To avoid the import ban, it’s said that these were made from imported parts, which were legal and assembled in New York. This would have helped satisfy a large demand for professional-level trumpets in the 1920s and 1930s.” [3]
source: various Bach loyalists
source: International Musician, Dec. 1920. Page 11
source: from the J. Landress Brass collection
source: from the Bach Loyalist collection
source: [3] BrassHistory - Besson Paris
source: from the Vincent Bach collection
