For your consideration is a Reynolds Contempora 20-L B♭ cornet, large bore, with an
original case. Man, what a great sound this horn makes! You can really take advantage of the large bore, moving sound freely throughout the range of the instrument, and staying very well in tune. This horn has a delicious sound, and slots very well from top to bottom. The first valve slide trigger and 3rd valve ring work perfectly. This horn is obviously a professional-line instrument by the way it plays, and would fit perfectly into jazz or concert settings alike. Other than the small lacquer wear on the lead pipe, and a small repair on the bell, this cornet looks fantastic. The silver tone ring is in great shape and really makes this cornet stand out.
Introduced in 1949, Reynolds Contempora cornets featured a larger bore
size, bronze alloy bell and distinctive first-valve tuning “trigger”
mechanism compared to the earlier F.A. Reynolds models. Many believe
that the Contempora was among the most outstanding cornets available in
the 1950’s and that the large-bore model compares favorably even with
the best cornets on the market today.
This cornet is in great shape for its age, and is large
bore ("LB" is stamped on the 2nd valve casing). The serial number
listed on the valve casing is 79018. This would place the production of
this cornet in 1963. Included is a 7C cornet mouthpiece. Specs:
20-L Model
Bore: .462"
Bell: 4 3/4" Bronz-o-lyte bell with
nickel-silver tone ring.
Length: 17 1/2"
First-valve “trigger.”
Brass body with nickel-silver
upper valve casings (balusters) and trim.
Top-loaded,
inner-spring Monel valve pistons.
Clear lacquer finish.