How old is my trombone?

I am often asked by interested parties, customers or friends how one can actually find out how old a particular instrument is.

The best answer is usually to look for the serial number.

As a rule, every professionally manufactured instrument has a serial number engraved in some way (often in very small print). This is usually located near the contact point between the bell and the trombone slide. On Conn trombones, it is often only engraved on the outer slide.

Once you have found the serial number, all you have to do is google it.

Using the formula "(Manufacturer) trombone serial number" you will usually find what you are looking for.

Here are a few serial number lists:
Conn King Bach Martin Olds

But there are also trombones that do not have serial numbers engraved.

Maybe a part was replaced, it was a custom-made product or a prototype, or someone simply forgot about it.

In this case, you can try to determine an approximate year of manufacture based on the design, engraving, condition of the instrument or paintwork. If you have any questions, please get in touch!