This Bach 50B bass trombone was made at the Vincent Bach factory in Mt. Vernon, New York, during the mid-1950s. Preserved in pristine original condition, it represents an exceptional surviving example from one of the most highly regarded periods of Bach trombone production.
Mt. Vernon Bach 50B Historical Perspective
Mt. Vernon Bach trombones are valued for their small-shop construction, distinctive materials and playing characteristics. Among vintage bass trombones, the Mt. Vernon 50B holds a particularly important place because of its broad tonal palette, centered response and enduring influence on later professional bass trombone designs.
This instrument had reportedly been stored since approximately 1960 and remained one of the finest original Mt. Vernon 50B examples handled by The Brass Exchange. It had no history of damage or repair and required no corrective service to improve its appearance or playability.
Gold Brass Bell and Original Construction
The instrument features a 9.5-inch gold brass bell, a standard-weight .562-inch bore handslide with gold brass outer tubes, and a yellow brass end crook. These original specifications contribute to the warm, colorful response associated with early Bach bass trombones.
- Mid-1950s Mt. Vernon, New York production
- 9.5-inch gold brass bell
- Standard-weight .562-inch bore handslide
- Gold brass outer slide tubes
- Yellow brass slide crook
- Single F-attachment rotor
- Original lacquer
- Original alligator-style French case
Playing Characteristics
From a player’s perspective, this Bach 50B produced rich, dark overtones with an ideal degree of resistance. Its sound retained color and complexity across a broad dynamic range. Notes centered securely while the instrument remained sufficiently open and flexible for expressive control throughout the register.
The handslide action was exceptional. Both the inner and outer tubes were completely straight, with no visible plating loss or signs of dezincification. The tuning slides fit precisely and operated smoothly. The rotor valve was quick and quiet, with excellent compression.
Exceptional Original Condition
The original lacquer was remarkably well preserved for an instrument of this age. It showed no major blemishes and only minimal evidence of handling. Even the normal grip areas on the handslide retained unusually clean original finish.
The bell remained undamaged, the slide tubes were straight and the valve section functioned properly. Its condition reflected decades of careful storage rather than the extensive professional use normally associated with surviving vintage bass trombones.
Original French-Style Case
The instrument included its original alligator-style French case. The case remained clean, odor-free and structurally sound—an uncommon condition for original instrument cases from the Mt. Vernon period.
Historical Reference
This Bach 50B has been sold and is now preserved in the Archive of Sold Instruments at The Brass Exchange as a historical reference for players, collectors and researchers studying Mt. Vernon Bach bass trombones.
Twenty-four detailed photographs accompany this archived listing and document the instrument’s original construction, gold brass bell, handslide, valve section, engraving, lacquer condition and original case.
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