[Getzen Trumpet Serial Number List
Jamar Lizarraga
> Concerning your Getzen Eterna, I purchased one new in 1968 and sold it
> about a year ago for about $450.00. It was in pretty good shape (a few
> little dings) and the silver plating was about 99%. The "Doc" is a decent
> horn... not a pro model but better than most of the step up or
> intermediates, and whenever I see them listed on the EBAY auction, they are
> generally very popular. There is one that just recently sold at auction for
> around 450 dollars or so. Many times, you can get a "professional
> appraisal" but the true value is dictated by what it will actually bring in
> the real world.
>
> Kelly McDowell
>
Kelly,The $450 price tag is indicative of the "general" acceptance of the
instrument, not the quality. A Severinsen from '68 should've gone
higherthan $450, as I've seen one in top shape go for $600-650. As
proof, not only did Doc play them for years, but also the late Johnny
Audino, formerly lead player with the Tonight Show Orchestra. The older
Severinsen trumpets from the 60's were phenomenal commercial trumpets, and
worth the price.If you get a chance to buy one, and it is from the 60's, buy it. The
later horns are not as good, but the older ones were super.The Conn Severinsen from the mid-1980's was OK, but not outstanding.
These were good intermediate horns.AL
He had a heart attack and died before the last couple albums, and before
Johnny Carson left the Tonight Show. So it has probably been ten years ago
or so. His passing was a great loss. He was replaced by Findley after
his death, who also toured with the band on a couple swings.
My thoughts exactly. I've seen Getzen Severinsons from the mid 70's with the
first valve trigger option in very good condition sell in the $700.00 range
with case, here in the Bay Area, and to at least one player with an impressive
collection of good horns and a discerning sense of quality. Like Al said, Doc
played one for years and that's saying something. I would never consider these
models "intermediate" horns, and it's my feeling that these models will become
very sought after over the next decade. I played several and own one that I
love, but I've played one that was a surprising disappointment; That could
happen on any brand and model, and perhaps you rushed to judgement.Paul
I've played with pros that have used them, admittedly it was always
commercial/light music settings - I am sorry I let mine go, it was a
cracking lead horn.
PS whenever your horn was in Phil Parker's for work/alterations it was
always an old Severinsen he gave out and it was a belter although it
looked like it had been through WW1,2 and 3.
yours Brian Jones
> these models "intermediate" horns, and it's my feeling that these models will
> become very sought after over the next decade. I played several and own one that
> I love, but I've played one that was a surprising disappointment; That could
> happen on any brand and model, and perhaps you rushed to judgement.
> Paul I bought a Getzen Severinsen in 1975 when I started college; then sold it in 1983
when I got a Claude Gordon Selmer (my teachers had all wanted me to get a Bach, so
I compromised--though now I play a Bach most of the time). I wish now I hadn't
sold it--it would be worth almost twice what I paid for it. Except for a slight
flatness in the 3rd partial, it was a dynamite horn. It really sizzled in the high
register and had great flexibility and response without feeling flimsy like the
lightweight Yamahas of that era (the new Yams are terrific, however). It's taken
me all these years to realize that's the sound I liked after all--my Bach is fine
for most applications; my Selmer CG is great when I just want to play stinking
loud, but there are days I really miss my Getzen. Had I not been a starving
student I might still have it.
Forgive me for disagreeing, but I bought one in 1969 and played it all
the way thru college and beyond. At one point I dated a young lady who
had a Bach 37 (fwiw,she was studying with Ren Schilke- go figure). At
one point we agreed to swap horns for a couple weeks, but after two days
I wanted my Getzen back...I've played the Getzen in many types of playing situations and find it
is an outstanding all around horn. It is outstanding in fit and finish
and has held up for 30 years with the valves as tight as anything you'd
buy today. SK
T.J. Getzen leaves the Holton Company after nearly ten years as plant superintendent to start his own business. The Getzen Company, Inc. is born in a converted dairy barn behind the Getzen family residence at 329 East Geneva Street, Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Although manufacturing is still to come, T.J. and his three employees focus on band instrument repair.
Branching out from the band instrument repair business, the Getzen Company produces its first trombones. The trombones roll off the line in the summer of 1946. Only about 1,000 trombones are produced in that first year.
Seeing an ever-expanding market and opportunity, T.J. Getzen expands the product line once again and starts the manufacture of piston bugles. The bugles are designed for and used by many Drum and Bugle Corps gaining popularity in the country at this time.
J. Robert Getzen, son of T.J., is appointed plant superintendent of the Getzen Company after 10 years of experience within the factory. This marks the start of the long-standing family tradition that is still seen within the company today.
J. Robert Getzen follows the same footsteps as his father and resigns as the plant superintendent of the Getzen Company to start his own business. Allied Music Corporation is opened in a 3,000 square foot building just a mile away from the Getzen Company at 530 South Highway H in Elkhorn, WI. The entire company consists of Robert, one employee, and zero customers.
The entire Getzen factory, with the exception of the offices and some storage areas, is destroyed by a late-night fire. The fire began at 12:30 am and burned until after 2:00 am. Due to the quick spreading of the flames and the extensive smoke and water damage, the factory is all but a complete loss. Almost immediately after the flames are extinguished plans were being made for the construction of a new factory.
Just a month after the devastating fire, the new Getzen factory is under construction on the same site as the destroyed building. By early December things are moving so smoothly that a target date of January 1964 has been set for the resumption of manufacturing in the new facility.
A mere five months after the tragic fire destroyed the Getzen Company, the new factory opens. At first, the production is limited to few select models, but after a few months, production is back up to full capacity.
Again history repeats itself and another Getzen leaves the company to start his own business. Don Getzen, son of T.J., resigns as Executive Vice-President of the Getzen Company and founds D.E.G. Music Products in Lake Geneva, WI.
Following the success of Allied Music Corporation, Bob Getzen founds Allied Supply Corporation. Allied Supply specializes in replacement band instruments parts, cases, and band instrument repair tools and seeks to fill an obvious void in the industry. Despite serving band instrument repair shops throughout the world, Allied Supply consists of a few rows of shelving located in the shipping department of Allied Music.
At the same time, Bob begins the further expansion of Allied Music. The first being the creation of the Allied Music Repair School. The program is designed to teach individuals the finer points of band instrument repair. Each participant goes through a 48-week course that covers all of the necessary steps needed to repair any brass or woodwind band instruments. Many of the graduates go on to open their own repair shops, most of which are still in business today. Second is the expansion of the repair business to include a second facility in Santa Rosa, California. Unfortunately, the distance between the two locations made management of the western Allied Music very difficult and it only operated for three years until being closed down.
Allied Music begins to produce a full line of trumpets, cornets, trombones, and marching brass instruments for D.E.G. History is again repeating itself with Allied Music shifting from a repair-only business model to one that includes instrument manufacturing as well.
Allied Supply Corporation has grown to occupy its own department within the Allied Music building. Now with both companies growing larger by the year, Bob Getzen decides to sell Allied Supply to his two sons Thomas R. and Edward M. Getzen. Both sons have several years of experience working for both Allied Music and Allied Supply and are eager to take over control of Allied Supply. The tradition of the family in the business continues to grow with this, the third generation.
Continuing to grow, Allied Supply now occupies several hundred feet within the Allied Music building. The increased space is needed to house the constantly growing product line as well as the increasing staff size.
After more than 49 years in the industry, Bob Getzen sells Allied Music Corporation to his sons Tom and Ed. Despite being semi-retired, Bob continued to play a crucial and invaluable role in the company for many years until his passing in February of 2003.
After years of building horns for D.E.G., Allied Music begins the production of its own line of instruments. They work hand in hand with the famous brass quintet, The Canadian Brass, to design and manufacture instruments that will be played and marketed by the group.
Quickly outgrowing its new location and needing to expand to better meet the needs of its customers, Allied Supply again expands and adds a case warehouse. The addition of the warehouse takes the total square footage of Allied Supply to more than 11,000 square feet.
The employees and equipment from the Getzen Company are immediately moved from its old location on Centralia Street to its new home on Highway H. Following the move, the Getzen Company is made the parent manufacturing company and Allied Music is named a wholly-owned subsidiary and repair division.
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