Reynolds - history
texas...@my-deja.com
instruments. Here is what I have so far:
(F.A. Reynolds is also known as Foster Reynolds, early associate of Zig
Kanstul.)
Following his life takes us to several other companies, including Roth,
Martin,
York, White, and Olds, to name a few.
1) Foster Reynolds worked for J.W. York at the beginning of the century.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
2) Foster Reynolds was at one time general manager at H.N. White (King).
Elkhart, Indiana
3) Reynolds Inst. Co.
Started "Reynolds Instrument Company" in the early 30's.
This was located in Cincinnati, Ohio
From all reports, these early horns are masterpieces.
(MASTERPIECES!!)
trumpet, serial no 2,xxx, owned by Spencer Hager
trumpet, serial no 2,4xx, owned by J.M. Terry
trombone, serial no 8,1xx, Contempera model, owned by D.J.Kennedy
1941 trumpet, serial no 9,2xx, sterling bell, owned by Nick DeCarlis
( http://www.vintagecornets.com/html/other_vintage_cornets.htm )
trombone, sterling bell, owned by D.J. Kennedy (also engraved by
former engraver for King Silvertone)
D.J. Kennedy reports that the scrollwork done for Reynolds horns in
this era was done by the same man responsible for early "King"
horns.
4) Roth-Reynolds Inst. Co.
Apparently merged with "Roth Instrument Company" in the mid 40's to
form "Roth-Reynolds Instrument Company". May have operated here until
as late as 1964, under various ownership. Although the Reynolds name
is used throughout this time, Foster Reynolds sold the company,
perhaps in this period.
Many trombones carry a large "R" as a counter-weight on the tuning
slide.
Still, these are high quality instruments.
This was still located in Cincinnati, Ohio
1948 trumpet, serial no 32,8xx, Contempera, owned by Nick DeCarlis
trombone, serial no 49,3xx, Emperor, owned by Jeff Mansfield
5) In the mid-50's, Foster Reynolds was working at Olds Instrument
Company,
probably in Los Angeles, California.
It is apparently in California that Zig Kanstul begins working for
Foster Reynolds. D.J. Kennedy reports that the nuts and threads of
Olds and Reynolds trombones in this era are often interchangeable,
as are many of the slides. This should not be surprising, given that
the same master designer that designed the Reynolds models is now
working at Olds.
6) 1961 - Reynolds is purchased by Richards Music Company. This company
also
purchased Martin and Blessing. Apparently, all of the original
manufacturers
continued making instruments, but the additional brand of RMC was
added. RMC stood for "Roundtable of Master Craftsmen". I don't know
if any of these master craftsmen actually worked for the Richards
company or not.
From 1961 to 1963, serial numbers were used in the range of:
211,675 to 218,855
The "Medalist" model name was used in 1961, perhaps for the first
time.
(The first "Medalist" sax was produced in 1961.)
7) F.A. Reynolds Inst. Co.
1964 - Purchased by Norlin Music Company
Olds was also purchased by Norlin, perhaps bringing Foster Reynolds
back into
direct association with the company bearing his name. (Was he still
alive?)
From 1964 to 1977, Reynolds horns were produced with serial numbers
in the general
range of 200,000 to 320,000
Most ( perhaps all???) of these Reynolds horns were made in
Abilene, Texas.
Olds apparently continued in Fullerton, CA.
Alan Rouse reports that both Olds and Reynolds were almost
identical. ( http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm )
Note: Conn was also making instruments in Abilene at this time. It
is possible that one
company may have subcontracted to the other for various
models. (Armstrong made Olds flutes under contract.)
Approximate serial numbers and dates are at:
http://www.musictrader.com/olds.html
"F.A. Reynolds Instrument Company" was imprinted on most Reynolds
instruments.
Many owners of horns of this vintage are all pleased by the quality.
1968 trombone, serial no 244,9xx, Medalist, owned by Jeff Mansfield
trombone, Emperor model, owned by D.J. Kennedy
trombone, Argenta, .525 bore, big bell, nickel-plate, Owned by D.J.
Kennedy
8) 1977, an alternate serial number system emerged
from 1977 to 1978 instruments were produced with serial numbers in
the range A00001 to A37,470
I do not know the location of manufacture for these serial numbers.
9) 1979 Norlin Music company halted production of Olds and Reynolds.
10) Modern-day Reynolds is owned by ??????
Is there a modern-day Reynolds???
I know that you have done this a dozen times already, but would you
please take the time
to copy the information you have and email it to me. It would be
helpful to know exactly
what is engraved on the bell, and what else is stamped on it. Is the
instrument brass,
sterling silver, silver plate, nickel, combination? If you are the
original owner or know the
original owner, when and where was it purchased?
If you can correct me on anything or fill in details, please do.
If you have additional contacts, please forward them.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
texas...@my-deja.com
In article <8h3o34$kv8$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
texas...@my-deja.com wrote:
> 3) Reynolds Inst. Co.
> This was located in Cincinnati, Ohio <<< CLEVELAND
> 4) Roth-Reynolds Inst. Co.
> This was still located in Cincinnati, Ohio <<<CLEVELAND
texas...@my-deja.com
coronets.
Bryan Fields
texas...@my-deja.com wrote:
> Several instruments referred to as trumpets, were actually
> coronets.
Personally I'd never confuse a trumpet with a '68 Dodge.
Rmidn...@webtv.net
Marge Schott (cinncinati reds owner) : ) seriously I appreciated
looking over the info. PB " I don't choose
what I compose. It chooses me." Gustav Mahler
Alan Rouse
Reynolds web site? (I do have some space available!) :->
According to Dundas' "Twentieth Century Brass Musical Instruments", Olds and
Reynolds both produced horns in the Fullerton Calif factory after the merger.
I was under the impression that this included all the Reynolds horns but I'm
not certain of that. You might want to get your hands on this book and see
what he has to say.
If I interpret Dundas correctly, Reynolds left King / White in 1934 to start
his own company. Dundas does not clearly state when Reynolds left his
company, but when he did he consulted and/or was employed at several
companies before coming to Olds. It's not clear exactly when he joined Olds.
According to my sources, Zig Kanstul came to Olds in 1954. At that time
Reynolds was head of the factory and in charge of R&D. That would be about a
year before manufacturing moved from the LA plant to the Fullerton plant, so
apparently Reynolds was responsible for setting up the initial production
lines at Fullerton. Mr. Reynolds died in the early 60's and Kanstul took
over the leadership of the factory and R&D at that time.
Zig Kanstul had great respect for Mr. Reynolds. Zig even named his first son
Foster, after his mentor.
William J. Milashius
Alan Rouse wrote:
>
> Zig Kanstul had great respect for Mr. Reynolds. Zig even named his first son
> Foster, after his mentor.
Zig's first son is Ziggy and then Jack, followed by Mark who is the youngest
Alan Rouse
correct. Perhaps Ziggy was a nickname.
Alan Rouse
Foster Reynolds. Sorry for the confusion.
William J. Milashius
names. Thanks for checkin in.
BM
Alan Rouse wrote:
> Ok, here's the official scoop.... Mark's middle name is Foster, named after
> Foster Reynolds. Sorry for the confusion.
>
how...@howardjonesjazz.com
> I figured you were right. I thought it problably was one of the boys' middle
> names. Thanks for checkin in.
>
> BM
>
> Alan Rouse wrote:
>
> > Ok, here's the official scoop.... Mark's middle name is Foster, named after
> > Foster Reynolds. Sorry for the confusion.
> >
It still plays mighty fine.
Howard,
HOWARD JONES JAZZ
1233 Saint Ann Street
Jackson, MS 39202
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