Bach Marching Trombone, not a Mercedes

[CharlieA]

I just got my hands on a bach Marching bone/Flugabone and I had assumed that it would be a mercedes (it was being marketed as an 883), I get my hands on it and it just has the bach logo that most the student horns have. I looked around and found a similar horn on reverb being called an MT300. are these horns different or is it just bach changing things to be confusing?

[RJMason]

I’m speculating, but I don’t think the Mercedes line lasted into the 1980s, though there were likely still marching band orders to fill. Yours is probably from the 80s or 90s—same design, but I can’t say if the build quality was consistent.

These horns shine with a proper overhaul. I highly recommend Sweeney Brass in Raleigh, NC. Scott removes the extra bracing designed for marching durability and replaces it with new braces that keep the horn solid while greatly improving resonance.

[JohnL]

I looked around and found a similar horn on reverb being called an MB300.

This one?
https://reverb.com/item/4776187-used-ba ... ter=seller

[brassmedic]

I looked around and found a similar horn on reverb being called an MB300.

This one?
https://reverb.com/item/4776187-used-ba ... ter=seller

Looks the same to me.

[JohnL]

This one?
https://reverb.com/item/4776187-used-ba ... ter=seller

Looks the same to me.

If that's the one the OP is talking about; it's listed as an MT300 rather than an MB300.

[brassmedic]

Looks the same to me.

If that's the one the OP is talking about; it's listed as an MT300 rather than an MB300.

I'm sure that's what he meant. Seems like MB would be marching baritone.

[Leanit]

Cloned from the Olds model, right? I think Bach took over that design.

[CharlieA]

Sorry I meant MT not MB

[JohnL]

Cloned from the Olds model, right? I think Bach took over that design.

The story goes that Selmer USA purchased the low brass (tubas, sousaphones, and baritones) and marching brass tooling when the Olds plant was liquidated in 1979.

[brassmedic]

Cloned from the Olds model, right? I think Bach took over that design.

The story goes that Selmer USA purchased the low brass (tubas, sousaphones, and baritones) and marching brass tooling when the Olds plant was liquidated in 1979.

Makes sense. The parts website says, "Discontinued Bach Mercedes Marching Trombone. Limited supply of parts available. Based off the Olds Company background brass tooling in the late 1970s." There's no mention of an MT300 though.

[Leanit]

Thanks, JohnL. I couldn't remember the details or timing.
I've got an Olds one that plays as well as such a thing can. Pretty nice.

[JohnL]

From what I can find, Selmer USA also bought the tooling for King French horns (1158/1159, not the Eroica/Fidelio) at around the same time.