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1961 REYNOLDS "ARGENTA" MODEL 45 LB PRO SOLID NICKEL Bb TRUMPET~ CUSTOM FINISH

$ 660

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Key: Bb
  • Instrument: Trumpet
  • Experience Level: Expert
  • Brand: Reynolds (RMC)
  • Features: Adjustable Thumb Lever
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • MPN: 61XXX
  • Country of Manufacture: United States
  • Valve Material: Nickel Plated
  • Bore Size: .462"
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Finish: Custom Brushed/ Polished/ Lacquered
  • Bell Material: Nickel Silver
  • Condition: Seller refurbished
  • Body Material: Nickel
  • Leadpipe Material: Nickel Silver
  • Trumpet Type: Jazz/ Commercial/ Classical
  • Set Includes: Case

    Description

    1961 REYNOLDS (RMC) "ARGENTA" MODEL 45 ~ LARGE BORE (.462") SOLID NICKEL SILVER PROFESSIONAL Bb TRUMPET WITH A CUSTOM BRUSHED/POLISHED/ LACQUERED FINISH IN PRISTINE CONDITION
    I have been playing horns for 64 years...collecting and restoring vintage trumpets and cornets, producing custom finishes, and building custom horns for 53 years.  Over the decades I amassed a vast trumpet/ cornet collection.  During the past few years I have thinned out the herd and continue to do so.
    All my horns are gig ready...they have been completely disassembled, cleaned, valves are hand lapped and precision adjusted & aligned with new corks & felts when necessary, all slide tubes are hand lapped and polished, and then the horn is re-assembled and play tested.  Lastly, the trumpet is disinfected and boxed in order to provide a Covid free purchase.
    PLEASE LOOK AT THE OTHER HORNS I HAVE LISTED
    For your consideration, here is a pristine custom finished example of a 60 year old Reynolds Argenta that is in need of an owner.  It was the only trumpet ever produced, made entirely of corrosion free solid nickel silver.  The brass valve spring cupholders and new beryllium springs are the only parts of the horn that are not nickel silver.  Even the screws and water key springs are nickel.  The Argenta along with the Contempora model were Reynolds top-of-the-line offerings.  It was introduced in 1959 and discontinued in 1973.  The trumpet is straight without dents nor repairs of any nature.
    The Argenta line of horns were some of very few band instruments, other than French horns, made completely of solid nickel silver.  According to Reynolds’ trademark application, the name “Argenta” was taken from the Spanish word for “silver” even though, despite its close appearance, there is no actual silver in nickel silver.  Nickel silver, also known as German silver or
    neusilber
    , is an alloy of copper, zinc and nickel.  A representative alloy mix contains 65% copper, 17% zinc and 18% nickel (compared to 80% copper and 20% zinc for standard yellow brass).  Nickel silver has similar characteristics to brass, but is harder and stiffer, making it a durable alternative often used on high-wear areas of a horn, including valve casings, hand grips, tuning slides and trim.  Nickel silver will not corrode nor will red rot ever appear.
    Instruments made of solid nickel silver tend to have a darker, clearer tone compared to standard brass alloys.  Nickel silver emphasizes the lower and higher overtone series, resulting in a sound that resonates very clearly in the corresponding registers.  Nickel silver horns also tend to project more dramatically than other brass alloys and can easily throw an ensemble section out of balance without care; they are often used where a homogeneous section balance isn’t emphasized, e.g. as a soloist instrument or in a small mixed-instrument horn line.  That said, many have found satisfaction using Argenta instruments within big band groups and other similar settings.
    This Argenta is a medium weight 2 lb. - 5.9 oz. trumpet that will accommodate virtually any music style and acoustic venue.  The trumpet has a clear and resonant tone that is easily controlled...its sound is clear, centered and focused.  It is a free and open blowing horn with a rich, slightly dark tone that produces a sophisticated edge when pushed, and loves to be piloted in the stratosphere.
    Projection is dramatic.  This horn has excellent intonation...the low register is not flat, and is very resonant.  The 5th harmonic is great, and so is the upper register intonation.  Slots are superb.
    Responsive and flexible, the Argenta performs well playing commercial, legit, big band, and even classical styles.
    Mechanically, the trumpet is in superb condition with smooth and fast valves that are bright and shiny, without staining nor pitting, and have near factory spec compression.  The valves have received new beryllium springs, stem felts as well as new valve cap felts.  All slides operate with buttery smoothness including the 1st slide trigger.  Cosmetically, the trumpet exhibits the following minor blemishes: There are six tiny shallow dings on the topside of the rolled bell rim (perhaps from a loose mouthpiece in the case?), and a tiny pin point ping on the bell tail.  Otherwise, the rest of the horn is pretty much collector grade flawless.
    I produced a custom brushed finish to the horn body while the bell interior, slides, valve caps, key buttons, and 1st slide trigger remain highly polished
    .  Finally, I applied two coats of clear lacquer to keep the nickel from oxidizing.  The brushed finish is much easier to maintain as it doesn't show fingerprints nor smudges like a polished finish does.
    I tend to be overly critical and as accurate as possible when describing my horns, so that no one receives any "surprises".  So, bid with confidence as I think you'll find my feedback speaks for itself.
    Finish
    -   Custom brushed/ polished finish with new lacquer over solid nickel silver.
    Serial #
    -   61XXX
    Bore Size
    -   .462" large bore
    Features
    -   Two-piece 4-5/8" bell; 1st valve slide w/ trigger; 3rd valve slide w/ adjustable ring.
    Accessories
    -   Original wood shelled double handled case with blanket interior in excellent condition (albeit missing its badge and the latch springs are broken...I soldered on some pull buttons to grab as you pull up the latch), and original 7C mouthpiece.
    Shipping is a flat fee of . via FedEx Home or Ground service with included insurance and signature requirement to the 48 continental states.  Alaska and Hawaii require more postage.  I will ship worldwide.  I accept PayPal ONLY.  Payment must be received within 4 days or the item will be re-listed.
    Sales Tax:
    Due to recent laws that were passed regarding Sales Tax being charged on internet purchases, eBay automatically will apply taxes to purchases made from the states affected by these laws
    .  I have no say in the collection of these taxes and I do not benefit from this.
    International Buyers - Please Note:
    Import duties, taxes, and charges are
    not included
    in the item price nor shipping cost.  These charges are the buyer's responsibility.  Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
    This item is being sold "As is"...no returns nor refunds will be offered unless I have somehow misrepresented the item.  I do my very best to be as accurate as humanly possible in my descriptions.  I am not an instrument dealer...just a musician and collector.  However, bid with confidence as my feedback speaks for itself.