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Roth Trombones

The Roth trombone 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 trombone is SN 37638 (~1945/46). 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 (see below) until they were rebranded as "Roth-Reynolds" instruments circa 1952.

The distinctive "R" counterweight was added around 1946 and most likely reflects Roth's new ownership of Ohio Band and Reynolds (the "R" counterweight appears around this time on all other Reynolds trombone models as well). 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.

The Roth trombone with F attachment was introduced in the mid/late 1950s as an inexpensive option compared to the other available F attachment models at the time (Contempora, Professional). Despite its "student" positioning, those who have played the Roth tenor trombones find them surprisingly flexible and playable in a variety of settings.

Model History | Specifications

1936-1946\| Ohio Band Instrument Co. (Cleveland)

	Model TBD \| Bore: TBD \| Bell: TBD \| Slide: TBD \| Finish: TBD \| Other: no counterweight; note the original King-style ferrules on the bell bracing Model TBD [SN 37638]. Photo source: eBay.
1946-1950 \| Ohio Band Instrument Co. (Cleveland)
	Model TBD \| Bore: TBD \| Bell: TBD \| Slide: TBD \| Finish: TBD \| Other: no counterweight; note the change to the Olds-style ferrules on the bell bracing (~1946) Model TBD [SN 48751]. Photo source: eBay.
	Model TBD \| Bore: TBD \| Bell: 7½" brass bell with nickel-silver braces \| Slide: brass outer slide with brass sleeves and trim, nickel silver braces with brass ferrules; chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides \| Finish: TBD \| Other: brass "R" counterweight Model TBD [SN 52764]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: eBay Member: rohbockras2
	Model TBD "Tone Tempered" \| Bore: TBD \| Bell: 7½" brass bell with nickel-silver bell flare and braces \| Slide: brass outer slide with brass sleeves and trim, nickel silver braces with brass ferrules; chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides \| Finish: TBD \| Other: brass "R" counterweight Model TBD [SN 53659]. Photos used with permission from QuikDrop of Boise (eBay Member: quikdropidboi).
1950-1952 \| F.A. Reynolds (Cleveland)
	Model TBD (F.A. Reynolds) \| Bore: TBD \| Bell: 7½" brass bell with nickel-silver braces \| Slide: brass outer slide with brass sleeves and trim, nickel silver braces with brass ferrules; chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides \| Finish: TBD \| Other: brass "R" counterweight Model TBD [SN 56537]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: sussexantiques
1952-1961 \| Roth-Reynolds (Cleveland)
	Model 320 \| Bore: .500" \| Bell: 7½" brass bell with nickel silver braces \| Slide: brass outer slide with brass sleeves and trim, nickel silver braces with brass ferrules; chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides \| Finish: clear lacquer finish \| Other: Brass "R" counterweight 1953, 1958, 1959 catalog: "The greatest value of all trombones. A professional trombone within the price range of a student instrument. Easy to blow, fast and most responsive slide action. Slides are made of one-piece nickel silver, chrome plated finish. Scientifically balanced for easy holding. Ruggedly built - strikingly designed and carefully made by Roth-Reynolds craftsmen. Complete with French style, shaped case." Model 320 [SN 83463]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: deanspawn
	Model 370 (with F attachment) \| Bore: .520" \| Bell: 8½" brass bell with nickel-silver braces \| Valve: rotor valve with closed-wrap F attachment \| Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; brass outer slides \| Finish: clear lacquer finish 1958: "The 'Professional' and 'Roth' models are ideal for lead or bass trombone work and a popular favorite with school bands." (listed with Bass Trombones) 1959: "Rich, full, responsive tone -- superb intonation -- excellent ease of playing. These remarkable qualities are embodied in our popular Tenor Trombones with F attachment and it is, therefore, that Roth-Reynolds also leads in this category." Model 370 [SN unknown]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: winghunters
1961-1963 \| F.A. Reynolds/RMC (Cleveland)
	Model TBD \| Bore: TBD \| Bell: 7½" brass bell \| Slide: inner slides TBD; brass outer slides \| Finish: TBD Model TBD [SN 77311]. Photos used with permission from eBay Member: angela445.