Bach Mouthpiece Custom Models
Early in Vincent Bach’s business, he made custom-branded mouthpieces.
Artist Models
This mouthpiece was believed to be made between 1919 and 1922, as no “Corp.” was stamped on it. I think it was made closer to 1921 – August 1922.
In the Feb. 1921 ad, Glantz’s endorsement is used in Bach’s advertising, which also helps narrow down the year of the mouthpiece: Feb. 1921 – August 1922. Bach started making artist custom models, and your cornet mouthpieces date from this era. Vincent would stamp the artist player’s initials on the mouthpiece; in your example, this was Glantz’s model that he (Glantz) probably sold to students.
February 1921
Harry Glantz, 1st trumpeter, New York Symphony.
source: BachLoyalist research, mouthpiece from Ben Fairfield collection
Custom Models
Vincent Bach’s earliest mouthpieces used names like “Star” and “Aida” models, predating the numerical system of his very earliest models. The Star model had a “small cup diameter” mouthpiece, and the Aida model had a “large cup diameter.” The standard model was unmarked and can be found on very early Vincent Bach mouthpieces.
Later examples of Aida mouthpieces from the Vincent Bach Corporation era (1930s) included the following sizes:
- Medium (cornet)
- Medium-Large (trumpet)
- Large (trumpet)
January 1920
Trumpet
source: from the BachLoyalist collection
Like the Aida models, Vincent Bach had a line of “Star” models of Vincent Bach mouthpieces. This model was not included in the Vincent Bach mouthpiece catalog from the New York era. The “Star Model” was first referenced in January 1920 as a “Small cup diameter” model.
January 1920
In the late 1940s, the “Star” model trumpet mouthpiece was replaced with the 9D trumpet mouthpiece. In the 1954 Vincent Bach Mouthpiece catalog, this is the description of the 9D mouthpiece, noting that it replaced the “Star” model. It is described as a “very shallow” mouthpiece with a 16.05mm (41/64″) cup diameter.
” The size is similar to the No. 9 only it has a much more brilliant tone similar to the No. 7-D mouthpiece. Players with narrow, sensitive lips who tire quickly get satisfactory results with this new model. Recommended for heavy dance work in the extreme register and for use on D trumpets.”
source: 1954 Bach Mouthpiece Manual
Trumpet
source: from the BachLoyalist collection
In what is believed to be from the 1930s, Vincent Bach Corporation introduced a “Jazz Model” trombone mouthpiece. Our collection includes both a “Small” and “Medium” model for this mouthpiece.
The use of “Jazz Model” might have been related to the popularity of jazz music in the 1930s.
source: from the BachLoyalist collection
