TromboneChat

Hello I am a new member. I have owned and still play a 1968 Olds Recording trombone. I recently found a Getzen Lyceum trombone with the serial number 188217 with no letter at the beginning of the sequence. I checked the list of Getzen trombones by serial number on this website and did not see this particular number. I appreciate any information about the year that this trombone was manufactured.
Thanks All!
Tom

Any chance of some pictures? Little design details might help someone tie down a rough date of manufacture.

You'll need to make a couple more posts before you can upload images.

I checked Ebay and Google and could not find a Lyceum model with not first letter only a number: 188217. Will send pictures after third post.

I also have an Olds Recording 1968 would like feedback from others who own one.

That horn was probably built pre-1964. all records previous to that have been officially lost because of a fire so dating a horn pre-64 is hard. You can look at surviving horn lists and kind of place your horn between existing serials and get a feel for which range of years your horn was.

I don't know anything about the Lyceum, but I have a 50's Recording. It was Olds top of the line trombone when it was made. If they are in good shape they are the most beautiful mass manufactured instrument ever, in my opinion, with multiple color materials and some ergo bits. I think they are also great players. My Recording is my go-to instrument for playing outside. They're a little heavier than other similar horns, but they play great. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on which side you're on, they don't sell for much money. If you need a great horn but can't afford much, a Recording is a great bang-for-buck option. If you have one you want to pass on to someone else, it's hard to make it worth your trouble.

JohnL wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:02 pm Any chance of some pictures? Little design details might help someone tie down a rough date of manufacture.

You'll need to make a couple more posts before you can upload images.

Thanks for your help I’m looking for away to load pictures on here and will post them once I figure it out. I called the manufacturer in Wisconsin and Dillon music in NJ no help.
Any chance of some pictures? Here are pictures. I played it pretty sweet sound although much lighter and smaller than my Olds Recording.

You'll need to make a couple more posts before you can upload images.
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Herre are a few pictures. The only number on it is the 188217 that I believe indicates pre-1964. Overall it looks to be in good shape - the slide works well. It also has a Holton #84 mouthpiece, an 11C and a 12C.
I appreciate any of your expert advice.

Tom

Does the horn actually say "Getzen" on it anywhere?

From https://www.brasshistory.net/Getzen%20Brass%20List.pdf 150000 or so would be the serial number range around the time of the fire.

There are no Getzen logos on the trombone just Lyceum and the serial number. Could it be a king?

So 188217 is after the fire?

I couldn't find Lyceum on Horn-u-Copia, a great resource for identifying odd brands.

I can guarantee it's not a King marque. I would strongly suspect it to be Chinese; probably a stencil for some music store.

This is pre-Chinese instruments. Just another American or European stencil.

Burgerbob wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:06 am This is pre-Chinese instruments. Just another American or European stencil.

Thinking European (Czech?).

Can't tell for sure from the pics whether it's got a slide lock or a tenon nut.

I found something over on the Saxontheweb forum about Lyceum saxophones being made by Malerne (France), but I don't think Malerne ever made trombones.

Thanks for your posts. I also want to mention that this trombone came with an old beat up tweed case as seen in the pictures. An Ebay search resulted in the exact same case that was made in the 1930's-40's. Here is the description: VERY COOL Vintage 30s-40s TWEED JAZZ ERA Trombone CASE ONLY
Could this trombone actually be from that era? Still not sure of the manufacturer.

The trombone has a slide lock.

Wicodares123 wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 10:22 am The trombone has a slide lock.

That makes it more probable that it's post-WWII.