Williams Trombone - one of the last genuine instruments Perfect slide - barely used - made in 1983 Start Price USD 1,999.00 Current Price USD 1,999.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 2,200.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, October 04, 2008 End Time Saturday, October 11, 2008 Location Jerome, AZ See more about 'Williams Trombone - one of the last genuine instruments' Description This item is being relisted, and as a result of my previous listing, I was contacted by an expert on these instruments who pointed out some important features. As you will read below, my friends bought the factory, but what I didn't realize, was they made their first few horns from authentic old stock Williams parts from the Burbank factory. Note the hand grip and the water key. The bell is certainly an authentic Williams piece, and probably the slide tubing as well, since the folks in Donelson did not figure out how to run Earl's draw bench till later. This then is one of the last authentic Williams trombones ever produced, even though it was not assembled by Earl or Bob themselves. This horn plays like a Williams, because it is made from authentic Williams parts, not assembled from parts made by sub-contractors! If you know about trombone history in the USA, you will know about Doc Reinhardt and Earl Williams. I studied with Doc in Philadelphia as did Jay Armstrong, who bought the Williams Trombone factory in Burbank. That was in the early 1980's, and I helped Jay and his wife move the factory to Donelson, Tennessee. It took them a few years to get everything set up and discover the tricks of using the famous draw bench that Earl had perfected, before they began their first run of instruments in 1983. We corresponded at length about their progress, and my ordering of Model 6, SN 8307. The number means it was first run started in 1983 and is instrument #7 (my choice of a lucky number - 7 positions, get it?) Anyway, their young son dropped a plastic toy and put a tiny dent in the bell, and there is a letter about that. I really liked the horn, although it is a little large for my taste. I did take it on a dance band job once and only once, and put a couple of small mute dents in the bell myself. A good repair man could take them out in a few minutes, but it broke my heart, so I never played it again. "Too nice to use." is the expression. This is as close to a new Williams trombone as you will find. The high register has been used and works quite well thank you, as does the slide, which has never been dropped. dinged, or repaired. No it was not made by Earl Williams himself, but also know that his son Bob made horns for a while after Earl passed away, so just because you find a Williams marked Burbank, does not mean that it was one of Earl's. Here is your chance to own a museum piece to display, or a really fine instrument that is worthy of being played in any symphony by the finest performer. Place a Bid!