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Contempora Mellophones

Model History | Specifications

1949-1952 | F.A. Reynolds (Cleveland)

Model TBD | Valves: piston valves; rotor change from F to Eb | Bore: TBD | Bell: 10½" bell | Materials: brass | Finish: brass with clear lacquer finish, or silverplated with bright bell or gold bell finish

No image(s) available.

1952-1961 | Roth-Reynolds (Cleveland)

Model 100 | Valves: piston valves; rotor change from F to Eb | Bore: TBD | Bell: 10½" bell | Materials: brass | Finish: brass with clear lacquer finish, or silverplated with bright bell or gold bell finish

1953, 1958, 1959 catalog: "Built in F with rotary quick change to Eb, which makes it readily adaptable to both orchestra and band without transposition. With its rich, full, mellow tone, it often substitutes for the French horn and has a smooth velvety quality that blends beautifully in ensemble playing. Available in three finishes, all prices complete with case and accessories."

Model 100 [SN 59804]. Photo source: eBay.

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

Model(s) TBD | Specs TBD

No image(s) available.

1964-1970 | F.A. Reynolds (Abilene)

Model ML-11 | Valves: piston valves; rotor change from F to Eb | Bore: TBD | Bell: 10½" bell | Materials: brass | Finish: highly polished brass with baked epoxy finish

1966 catalog: "Known for having the best intonation quality and volume, these Reynolds background instruments please bandsmen with their big, satisfying sound. Even beginners find them effortless, due in large part to Reynolds' precision valve-making and scientific bore design. Each instrument is a beauty in brilliant brass; silver-plate with bright or gold bells optional at slight extra cost."

Model ML-11. Photo source: eBay

Model ML-12 | Straight Bell Mellophone | Valves: piston valves; rotor change from F to Eb | Bore: TBD | Bell: TBD" straight bell | Materials: brass | Finish: highly polished brass with baked epoxy finish

Model ML-12. Photo source: eBay

1971-1979 | Reynolds (Fullerton)

Model ML-13 | Marching Mellophone | Valves: piston valves | Bore: .468" | Bell: 10½" bell | Materials: brass | Finish: highly polished brass with baked epoxy finish

1977 catalog: "The compact design and lightweight construction of the Reynolds Marching Mellphone offers superior playing ease and comfort in the most intricate marching maneuvers. In addition to the improved intonation, the ML-13 responds instantly while retaining richness and balanced clarity of tone throughout the scale. Highly polished brass with a baked epoxy finish. Extra heavy bracing provides the rugged strength required in a marching instrument."

Model ML-13 [SN 269148]. Photos used with permission from Roy Kersey.