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Roth Cornets

The Roth cornet was originally manufactured by Ohio Band Instrument Co., F.A. Reynolds' student instrument manufacturing division. Advertisements for Roth instruments in general exist from 1940; the earliest recorded Roth cornet is SN 22877 (~1941). After the corporate sale to Scherl & Roth in 1946, Reynolds continued to produce Roth instruments under the Ohio Band name until 1950, then briefly under the "F.A Reynolds" label until they were rebranded as "Roth-Reynolds" instruments circa 1952.

The Roth "Tone Tempered" model was introduced around the same time that Reynolds launched the new Emperor line (1947). Both models featured brass construction with a nickel-silver bell flare. The Roth variant appears to have been discontinued in the early 1950s.

Model History | Specifications

1936-1950 | Ohio Band Instrument Co. (Cleveland)

Model TBD | Shepherd's crook design | Bore: TBD" | Bell: TBD" brass bell | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: TBD | Finish: TBD

Note: This model has a different main tuning slide wrap style than the later examples below. Note the additional crook to enter from the front on the left side of the third valve, where the later horns have a valve entry point on the right side. The design change is associated with the sale of Ohio Band from Foster Reynolds to Scherl & Roth (1946).

Model TBD [SN 28976]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: ker383.

Model TBD | Shepherd's crook design | Bore: TBD" | Bell: TBD" brass bell | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: TBD | Finish: TBD

Model TBD [SN 41419]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: echopost.

Model TBD "Tone Tempered" | Shepherd's crook design | Bore: TBD" | Bell: TBD" brass bell with nickel-silver bell flare | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: TBD | Finish: TBD

Model TBD [SN 45093]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: kunit1986.

1950-1952 | F.A. Reynolds (Cleveland)

Model TBD (F.A. Reynolds) | Bore: TBD" | Bell: 4¾" brass bell | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: TBD | Finish: TBD

Model TBD [SN 58315]. Photos courtesy of eBay Member: gbsisters.

1952-1961 | Roth-Reynolds (Cleveland)

Model 310 | Bore: .458" | Bell: 4¾" brass bell | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: hand-lapped, nickel-silver pistons | Finish: clear lacquer; optional silverplate with bright bell or gold bell finish

1953: "Roth Trumpets and Cornets - the greatest value in band instruments today! Designed to guarantee maximum quality at a minimum investment. Carefully made and modern in design, this model is ideal for student musicians. Hand-lapped, nickel silver pistons for years of service. Ease of blowing means young musicians will learn quickly, play proficiently and enoy their instrument. Durable brass with clear lacquer finish and complete with new design trunk style case and special fittings."

1958, 1959: "Roth is the cornet of quality most widely used in schools today. It embodies all of the fine workmanship of our craftsmen yet is extemely low priced. Special bore and taper designed for easy blowing so the student will learn quickly and thoroughly enjoy his instrument. Hand-lapped nickel silver pistons, durable construction, beautiful lacquer finish. Complete with Gladstone case and special fittings."

Model 310. Photos used with permission from G. Scott Hansen (ebay Member: nicenative).

Model TBD | Bore: TBD | Bell: TBD" brass bell with nickel-silver bell flare | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: TBD | Finish: TBD

Model TBD [SN 328xx]. Photos used with permission from G. Scott Hansen (ebay Member: nicenative). NOTE: Based on the engraving style notes from seller, this particular cornet appears to use a Reynolds serial number vs. Roth numbering; approx. 1952. Compare to "Tone Tempered" model, SN 45093 (above).

1961-1963 | F.A. Reynolds/RMC (Cleveland)

Model CR-56 | Specs TBD (same as Model 310?)

Model CR-56 [SN 63016]. Photos used with permission from Fred Cirksena (eBay Member: f*c). Based on the RMC documentation and engraving style, this cornet appears to use a Reynolds serial number vs. Roth numbering; approx. 1961.