Through the years, Vincent Bach introduced many different brands of brass instruments, each designed specifically to meet the unique needs of different musicians. This compilation of Bach instrument brands aims to offer a comprehensive overview of their many offerings, providing relevant descriptions and detailed information to help you better understand the differences between these different models.
Vincent Bach instrument brands have included the following. Click the hyperlink to quickly go to the specific brand.
- Apollo (vintage)
- Apollo (modern / 170 series)
- Mercedes
- Mercedes II
- Mercury
- Minerva
- Omega
- Stradivarius (pre-1965)
- Stradivarius (180 series)
- Stradivarius (190 series)
- Stradivarius (Artisan series)
- Brand: Apollo
- First Use: 1925
- Status: Discontinued in the early 1940s
- 1st Serial Number: #200
“A solidly built trumpet, perfect in tune, with excellent intonation and a marvelous valve action. This instrument fills all the requirements for orchestra and band work. The “Apollo” Model Bach Trumpet needs but little effort to play upon as it is a scientifically constructed instrument. This trumpet is built all in brass, has nickel-silver pistons and is equipped with a two piece bell made of special brass, treated according to a secret formula. The tone is of a beautiful ringing quality, of a great carrying power and responds readily to a crescendo or decrescendo. The ‘Apollo Model” has a splendid appearance and is the highest grade “medium priced” instrument on the market, with quick change attachment to draw-out to A. One genuine Bach Mouthpiece furnished with this instrument.”
source: Vincent Bach Corporation catalog (1925)
- Brand: Apollo
- First Use: 2023
- Status:
– Apollo brand discontinued in 2023
– 170 series continues - 1st Serial Number: #781652
” The Bach Apollo trumpet is a modern take on an original model by Vincent Bach. The updated construction and its unique mixture of materials gives this trumpet a depth and richness of sound that is associated with gold brass along with the brilliance and shine of yellow brass. “
source: Bach Brass (2023)
” The Bach Apollo trumpet is a modern take on an original model by Vincent Bach. While the Stradivarius is well known for its iconic 1-piece trumpet bell, Bach’s original Apollo design featured a two-piece bell. Our new 170 line of professional-level instruments feature the same valve block and chassis as the world-famous 180 line of trumpets. Paired with our first ever 2-piece, 2-material bell that has been treated with the same top-secret annealing processes as our Stradivarius trumpets, the result is an instrument fit for a modern trumpet player of any style. “
source: Bach Brass (2023)
- Brand: Mercedes
- First Use: 1927
- Status: Dead
- 1st Serial Number: #573
“Bach Announces New Model
The Vincent Bach Corporation of 621 East 216th Street, New York, N. Y., announces a new addition to its famous family of high-grade brasses. Besides the deluxe “Stradivarius” and modestly priced “Mercury” lines, Bach now offers the “Mercedes” brasses which have the characteristic fine playing qualities and thorough workmanship of Bach products, yet are distinctly in the moderate price range. The new Bach “Mercedes” folder will be sent upon request by the Vincent Bach Corporation.
source: The International Musician (May 1941)
” Mercedes Cornets, Trumpets and Trombones.
In playing perfection these instruments meet the demands of the most discriminating artists, yet the price is considerably below that which one might expect to pay for such a well-designed and carefully fitted instrument. They are made in the most popular bore, have sufficient volume of tone for a large symphony orchestra, yet they are so easy-blowing that dance, vaudeville and other musicians who work long hours find them an immeasurable aid to endurance.”
source: Genuine Bach Mouthpieces catalog (1956)
- Brand: Mercedes II
- First Use: 1965-1970
- Status: Dead
Replaced with Bach TR-series - 1st Serial Number: TBD
” Mercedes instruments were created to make Vincent Bach’s acoustic designs available at prices within a students limited means.We do this without making any compromises in their musical quality: intonation, resistance and timbre meet the high standards that are a Bach tradition. Instead, we make them available at moderate prices by using machines instead of handwork on some of their construction details, or by using materials, components, and assembly methods more conventional than in costlier Bach Stradivarius models.There are a number of other minor structural differences; these are tabulated for direct comparison below. Together they account for the differences in price. But do they also account for a difference in performance? Well, Bach Stradivarius brasses are unique; that is why they are virtually standard equipment among professional artists. Any student that has progressed to the point where we can hear, feel, and take advantage of their unique qualities will be happy to pay the premium price for a Strad. On the other hand, Mercedes models give their owners all but the ultimate refinements of the finest brass instruments ever made, at significantly lower prices. “
source: Bach Publication; AV6021 (4/1981)
- Brand: Mercury
- First Use: 1925
- Status: Dead
- 1st Serial Number: 251
“For Semi-Professionals and Beginners
The easiest playing instrument in the world. It is built on the principle: “The Best for the Lowest Price”. Expensive workmanship not absolutely necessary to make the instrument play light and in tune has been eliminated but important points such as the graduation of the inside bore, the selection and quality of materials, receive the most careful attention. Most low priced instruments are unscientifically constructed and badly out of tune. The Mercury Model is excellent in tune, lightly built and a player with weak lips will have to use but little effort to play on it. Furnished with quick change to draw pout to A. Equipped with a Mercury Model Mouthpiece. “source: Vincent Bach Corporation (1925)
“Bach announces the new Mercury. The Sensaation of 1939. Bach quality at a price never offered beore.
All the skill and experience acquired in the mnaufacture of the Stradivarius instruments has been utilized in the making of the Mercury line. These new brasses embody all the fine playing qualities of the Stradivarius instruments, only the expensive nickel silver trimmings have been eliminated and the construction of somewhat more simplified. Such quality at a similar prices can not be duplicated.
source: The School Musician (Feb. 1939), Page 5
“The ideal model for the young artist or advanced student who wishes to economize, but must have an instrument of excellent playing qualities. Never before have solo instruments of such remarkable playing qualities and sturdy construction been offered at a similar price.
Ask your dealer for further details or write for a price list.”source: Genuine Bach Mouthpieces (1956)
- Brand: Minerva
- First Use: July 16, 1958 (filing date)
- Published: Feb. 17, 1959
- Status: Dead (estimated 1961)
- 1st Serial Number: 2722
” …
- Brand: Omega
- First Use: 1980s
- Status: Dead (1990s)
- 1st Serial Number: TBD
” The Bach Omega trumpet model is available in silver or lacquer and has the Stradivarius valve block and is combined with economical tubing and bell. “
source: The Selmer Company (1990)
- Brand: Stradivarius
- First Use: 1925
- Status: Active
- 1st Serial Number: 1 (14)
” An instrument for the Virtuoso, Symphony and Opera Artist and All Players Whose Positions Demand the Best. Among brass instruments the “Stradivarius Model” Bach Trumpet occupies the same supreme position as the genuine Stradivarius Violin among string instruments. Both are masterpieces, the perfection of which is beyond dispute. The Bach Trumpet is a Patrician among instruments; absolutely precise in each mechanical detail, made in exact accordance with established acoustical principles and combining every improved feature that human skill and ingenuity have conceived as applicable to trumpet building. Although beautiful in appearance, it is no designed to intrigue the eye of the purchaser, our efforts having been conscientiously concentrated on producing the best playing and most substantial instrument in the world. The bell of the Stradivarius Model Bach Trumpet is made of one piece, hand-hammered and of a special brass made and treated according to a secret formula. “
source: Vincent Bach Corporation (1925)
” These extraordinary trumpets occupy a niche of their own in the hall of musical instrument fame. This is amply demonstrated by their p[henomal success. They have a perfection of quality and a peculiar excellence that were not heretofore deemed possible in brass instruments. The Stradivarius Model BACH trumpets are very patricians among instruments of music. They have a richly beautiful quality of tone, combined with unlimited power. Tuning and intonation are faultless. These instruments are unusually easy-blowing, have perfect even registers, and that penetrating brilliance of timbre so greatly desired by artists. “
source: Vincent Bach Corporation (1928)
- Brand: Stradivarius
- First Use: 1962
- Status: Active
- 1st Serial Number: 22384
” The 180 series is pure Elkhart—truly the best of this era of Bach trumpets. Featuring a newly designed finger hook for that classic Bach silhouette, beautiful engraving, state-of-the-art bell construction, an updated leadpipe, and more. This horn has an amazingly easy response while maintaining perfect stability. “
source: Bach Brass (2023)
” The Bach 180 series trumpets are the number one selling professional trumpets in the world, and they remain the sound choice of artists globally. Combining his talents as a musician and an engineer, Vincent Bach created brass instruments of unparalleled quality that are often copied but never duplicated. The 180 series offers depth and color of sound coupled with the even intonation and response a professional player needs. Nothing beats the sound of a Bach.”
source: Bach Brass (2023)
- Brand: Stradivarius
- First Use: 2012
- Status: Active
- 1st Serial Number: TBD
” Inspired by the Mt. Vernon and New York eras, the 190 trumpets combine the best qualities from our 100-year history with modern technology and manufacturing techniques to create the best sounding, and performing, trumpets we have ever made. We’re excited to share the reimagined 19072V and 190L65V Vindabona models. These long-awaited successors to the cult classic Bach Vindabona trumpet were designed with our top artists to improve on Bach’s original step bore platform. The new 190X models are heavily inspired by the best of lightweight New York, New York era. Featuring a French bead, lightweight construction, nickel silver inner slides, and New York style bracing, the 190X are the fastest handling models of the 190 series.”
source: Bach Brass (2023)
” The Bach 180 series trumpets are the number one selling professional trumpets in the world, and they remain the sound choice of artists globally. Combining his talents as a musician and an engineer, Vincent Bach created brass instruments of unparalleled quality that are often copied but never duplicated. The 180 series offers depth and color of sound coupled with the even intonation and response a professional player needs. Nothing beats the sound of a Bach.”
source: Bach Brass (2023)
- Brand: Stradivarius Artisan
- First Use: 2009
- Status: Active
- 1st Serial Number: TBD
” No other brand evokes more passion, loyalty, and respect than Bach Stradivarius. Exceptional tonal color, balanced response, and superb projection are the hallmarks of designs by Vincent Bach. Carrying on the legacy and true to the vision of the master craftsman, the makers of todays Bach Stradivarius proudly introduce the Artisan Collection. Skillfully handcrafted, Artisan culminates in a unique blend of classic design, elegant styling, and the signature Bach sound. Whether a passionate enthusiast or performing artist, experience The Artisan Collection and discover the Artisan within.“
source: BachBrass.com (2012)
