Pre-Owned Vincent Bach Stradivarius C180SL 229 C Trumpet - Silver Plated (Circa mid-1970s)
We have an exceptional vintage orchestral heavyweight on the bench today. In the world of orchestral trumpet playing, the Vincent Bach Stradivarius C trumpet with a #229 bell is the gold standard that shaped the sound of major symphonies across North America. Renowned for its broad, dark, and sonorous orchestral core, the 229 bell offers a massive tonal spread and harmonic depth that effortlessly anchors a brass section.
This specific horn, carrying serial number 115000, dates to the highly regarded mid-1970s "Early Elkhart" era. The "DL" stamp above the serial number indicates that this instrument was factory-ordered with a Dual-Bore / Large-Bore valve casing (L bore), a configuration favored by symphonic players to balance the quick response of a C trumpet with the broad air capacity needed for major orchestral literature. Showing only minimal, honest signs of careful handling, this horn remains in remarkably clean, near-collector cosmetic and mechanical condition.
Key Features & Specifications
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Iconic #229 Yellow Brass Bell: The classic orchestral bell taper designed to produce a rich, dark, expansive tone with tremendous projection and dynamic headroom without becoming bright or brittle in fortissimo passages.
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Factory "DL" Large Bore Valve Section: Stamped "DL" above the serial number, denoting Bach's symphonic bore architecture tailored specifically to optimize airflow and lower-register stability on C trumpets.
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Mid-1970s Early Elkhart Era: Hailing from serial block 115,000, this instrument comes from a celebrated manufacturing period known for solid brass quality, meticulous valve fit, and resonant acoustic taper.
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Monel Pistons & Two-Piece Casings: Built with hand-lapped pistons offering tight mechanical tolerances, whisper-quiet action, and dependable fluid response.
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Intonation Controls: Equipped with a 1st valve slide thumb saddle and a traditional 3rd valve slide stop rod assembly for precise pitch adjustment in orchestral settings.
Condition & Shop Inspection
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Cosmetics: Excellent Vintage Condition. The original silver plating is exceptionally clean and vibrant throughout, exhibiting only faint, negligible signs of gentle handling. Zero major dent work or trauma.
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Mechanics: Bench-Tested & Ready. Our in-house master technicians have fully inspected, ultrasonically cleaned, and regulated the horn. The valves have crisp compression and silky-smooth action, and all slides pull effortlessly.
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Accessories: Includes a genuine Bach hardshell trumpet case.
Specifications
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Brand: Vincent Bach
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Model: Stradivarius C180SL (229 Bell)
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Serial Number: 115000 (Stamped "DL")
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Key: C
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Bell: #229 One-Piece Hand-Hammered Yellow Brass
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Valve Casing: Large Bore (L / DL)
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Finish: Silver Plated
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Era: Circa mid-1970s (Elkhart, IN)
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Condition: Pre-Owned / Excellent Vintage Condition
The Fleming Music Commitment When you purchase a professional instrument from Fleming Musical Instruments & Repair, you gain a dedicated support team. Every instrument is meticulously inspected and regulated by our on-site master technicians before it leaves our hands, backed by our 14-day return window and full 1-year warranty. Reach out to our team directly at https://flemingrepair.com/pages/contact to discuss pricing, financing, trade-ins, or the instrument's playing characteristics. Local to Houston? We strongly encourage you to visit the shop and put air through this classic 229 C trumpet yourself. Keep up with our latest arrivals and local events on our social channels at https://linktr.ee/Fleming_Music.
