Contempora Tenor Trombones
Introduced in 1949, the Reynolds Contempora tenor trombone features the same bronze alloy bell that made the Contempora trumpet and cornet models so popular. But where Reynolds' trumpets and cornets bear an unmistakable resemblance to the H.N. White small brass that Foster Reynolds designed, e.g. the King Master cornet, the Contempora tenor trombones have more in common with F.E. Olds' trombones than the King trombones produced by H.N. White.
Many have compared the sound of the medium-large Contempora (model 30-L, .520" bore, 8½” bell) to the Olds Recording trombone with the latter's golden "Re-O-loy" bronze alloy bell. The smaller Contempora (model 30-M, .500" bore, 7½” bell) reportedly produces a brighter, more responsive sound that is more comparable to the Olds Super trombone.
The larger-bore Contempora tenor trombone was available with a rotary valve and F attachment beginning in the mid-1950s. There appears to have been two styles of F attachments initially created: an early example features the plain bronze bell used on the Contempora bass trombones and a modified closed-wrap attachment with F and E tuning slides; later models feature the familiar Bronz-o-lyte bell with nickel-silver tone ring and a more traditional closed-wrap attachment (without E tuning slide).
Like the Olds Super model, the Contempora tenor trombones feature a nickel-silver tone ring, or "kranz", around the edge of the bell flare. The tone ring helps focus and project the sound without breaking up at louder volumes. Both manufacturers share similar bell bracing patterns as well, with a distinctive triangle-shaped ferrule that was patented in 1938 by Reginald Olds.
After Reynolds merged with Olds in 1964 and production moved to the Olds plant in Fullerton, the Contempora tenor trombone was offered in a single .515” bore size, with or without the F attachment. The nickel-silver tone ring disappeared in the mid 1970s when Reynolds changed bell materials to standard red brass.
Model History | Specifications
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1949-1952 | F.A. Reynolds (Cleveland) |
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Model TBD | Fred Land has an example of an early 1950s Contempora tenor trombone [SN 29297] without a nickel-silver tone ring, but engravings around the bell rim where the ring would be. The inscription is "F.A. Reynolds Co. Inc. Cleveland Ohio U.S.A.", placing it in the 1949-1952 period before the Roth-Reynolds business name was used.
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1952-1961 | Roth-Reynolds (Cleveland) |
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Model 30-L | Bore: .520" | Bell: 8½" | Materials: Bronz-o-lyte bell; nickel-silver tone ring, gooseneck, tuning slide, bracing and trim | Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; brass outer slides ; nickel-silver mouthpiece receiver | Finish: clear lacquer finish; optional silverplate bright bell or silverplate gold bell finish | Brass "R" counterweight 1953, 1958, 1959 catalog: "The Contempora Trombone embodies every desirable feature fine trombonists require [and] produces a superior tenor trombone tone. Slides are nickel silver, chrome-plated, drawn with one-piece stockings. Designed for beauty and rugged durability with nickel silver trimmings and Bronz-o-lyte bell. Finest metals, proper bracing and meticulous workmanship assure years of performance pleasure without costly maintenance."
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Model 30-M | Same as Model 30-L | Bore: .500" | Bell: 7½"
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Model 35 (with F attachment) | Bore: .520" | Bell: 8½" | Valve: rotor valve with closed-wrap F attachment | Materials: Bronz-o-lyte bell; nickel-silver tone ring, bracing and trim; brass gooseneck and tuning slide crooks | Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; brass outer slides; nickel-silver mouthpiece receiver, handgrip and outer slide sleeves | Finish: clear lacquer finish; optional silverplate bright bell or silverplate gold bell finish 1958, 1959 catalog: "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."
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Model TBD (with F attachment and E slide) | Bore: TBD | Bell: 8½" | Valve: rotor valve with F attachment; second tuning slide and adjustable stop guage extending to E | Materials: Bronze bell; nickel-silver tuning slide tubes, bracing and trim; brass gooseneck and tuning slide crooks | Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; brass outer slides; nickel-silver mouthpiece receiver, handgrip and outer slide sleeves | Finish: clear lacquer finish
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1961-1963 | F.A. Reynolds/RMC (Cleveland) |
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Model TO-11 | Specs TBD (same as model 30-L?)
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Model TO-12 (with F attachment) | Specs TBD (same as model 35?)
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1964-1970 | F.A. Reynolds (Fullerton) |
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Model TO-11 | Bore: .515" | Bell: 8½" | Materials: bronze alloy bell; nickel-silver tone ring, gooseneck, tuning slide, bracing and trim | Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; brass outer slides; nickel-silver mouthpiece receiver | Finish: baked epoxy coating | Brass "R" counterweight 1966 catalog: "Top artist quality with all the features that please professionals. Large bore; 8½" bell of special bronze alloy. 1970 catalog: "Top artist quality with a large straight bore for maximum volume of sound. Bronz-O-Lite bell flare has a distinctive nickel-silver tone control band which centers and projects the tone. Bore measures .515; 8½" bell."
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Model TO-12 (with F attachment) | Bore: .515" | Bell: 8½" | Valves: rotor valve with closed-wrap F attachment | Materials: bronze alloy bell; nickel-silver tone ring, bracing, attachment slides and trim; brass gooseneck and tuning slide crooks | Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; nickel silver outer slides; nickel-silver mouthpiece receiver | Finish: baked epoxy coating 1966 catalog: "Same as model TO-11 but with an F attachment that both extends lower range and increases slide facility." 1970 catalog: "The Contempora TO-12 is the ultimate in F attachment trombones. The F attachment extends the range, while increasing slide facility. This distinctive instrument features a Red Bronze Bell. Solid Nickel-Silver outer slide and Tone Ring, with .515 Straight Bore."
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1971-1979 | Reynolds (Fullerton) |
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Model TO-11 | Bore: .515" | Bell: 8½" | Materials: red-brass bell (no tone ring); nickel-silver gooseneck, tuning slide, bracing and trim | Slide: TBD | Finish: baked epoxy coating | Rectangular "reynolds" counterweight 1977 catalog: "The TO-11 is acoustically designed to allow a fuller sound with improved response and flexibility. Top artist quality with a large straight bore for maximum sound and tone projection. High and low tone center equally."
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Model TO-12 (with F attachment) | Bore: .515" | Bell: 8½" | Valves: rotor valve with closed-wrap F attachment | Materials: red-brass bell (no tone ring); nickel-silver bracing, attachment slides and trim; brass gooseneck and tuning slide crooks | Slide: TBD | Finish: baked epoxy coating | Listed in 1973 price list, but not 1977 catalog.
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Model TBD [SN 29297]. Photos used with permission from Fred Land.
Technical Notes
Contempora tenor trombones had a non-standard mouthpiece receiver size of .495" (.020" larger than a standard Bach). Small-shank trombone mouthpieces will insert slightly deeper than in trombones with a standard receiver. Played "as is", this can affect tuning and response, especially in the higher registers. I have an example of a "Roth" trombone mouthpiece that appears to be the proper size for the Contempora; there have also been conflicting reports as to whether some of the "medium shank" euphonium mouthpieces fit properly. The most convenient solution is to add plumber's teflon tape (or some other waterproof tape) around a standard small shank until the desired fit/insertion depth is achieved with respect to tuning and overall response.
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