Contempora Double Horns
Bernie Marston notes that after Richards Music went bankrupt in 1963, Chicago Musical Instrument Co. purchased the Reynolds assets and sent the existing inventory of horn valves, bells and other parts to the F.E. Olds (also owned by CMI) plant in Fullerton, California for evaluation and to set up production lines. Allegedly the brass models (FE-03), along with their Olds model equivalents, were made in Fullerton, while the nickel silver Reynolds (FE-01) and Olds models were made in Abilene; however, both Reynolds models are marked "Abilene Texas".
The Contempora double horn bell was changed to a standard weight (.011" thick) after the existing Cleveland-made inventory ran out (meaning that some number of horns produced in 1964 and later have the earlier Chambers-style heavy bell). Other design features of the Chambers horn were carried forward to the "new" Contempora Double Horns, though reportedly there was also a change to the bell throat size, with the new horns placed somewhere between the original Pottag and Chambers models.
Model History | Specifications
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1964-1970 | F.A. Reynolds (Abilene, Fullerton) |
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Model FE-01 | Bb/F Double French Horn | Bore: .468" | Bell: 12" bell (.011" thick); medium-large bell throat | Kruspe wrap style | Materials: solid nickel silver | Finish: baked epoxy finish 1966: "Finest possible horn for professionals. Solid nickel silver [model FE-01] throughout produces a resonant 'dark' sound. Quiet floating-type rotary valves with long shafts and bearings give exceptional ease of operation. Extremely wide range."
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Model FE-03 | Bb/F Double French Horn | Bore: .468" | Bell: 12" bell (.011" thick); medium-large bell throat | Kruspe wrap style | Materials: brass; nickel-silver slide tubes, bracing and trim | Finish: baked epoxy finish 1966: "[Model FE-03] same as Model FE-01 but solid brass with nickel silver tubes, bracing and trim."
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1971-1979 | Reynolds (Fullerton) |
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Model FE-01 | Bb/F Double French Horn | Bore: .468" | Bell: 12" bell | Materials: solid nickel silver | Finish: baked epoxy finish 1977: "The choice of symphony, concert and professional artists, the FE-01 is extremely flexible with excellent intonation thoughout the entire range. Solid nickel silver construction produces a dark, resonant sound. Quiet, floating type rotary valves afford quick resonse and ease of playing." Note: same as Olds Double Horn, Model O-48
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Model FE-03 | Bb/F Double French Horn | Bore: .468" | Bell: 12" bell | Materials: brass; nickel-silver slide tubes, bracing and trim | Finish: baked epoxy finish | Note: same as Olds Double Horn, Model O-45 1977: "Superb craftsmanship and engineering produce a French horn capable of satisfying the most exacting demands of advanced players. Features the same distinctive characteristics and quality of the FE-01 Contempora French horn except that it is solid brass with nickel-silver tubes, bracing and trim. Use of brass rather than nickel-silver gives the instrument a somewhat brighter, freer tone."
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Model Notes |
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The ornate engravings on this horn were created as an "exposition model" that was showcased at trade shows around the world; click the thumbnail image for more information and photos.
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Model FE-01. Photos used with
permission from Bruce Tubbs [eBay:
frugalhorn].
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