Pyro

[triple dude]

With your background, you might be able to shed some light on this. I went to an estate auction over the holidays and as usual, there were some musical instruments. I noticed a half scale trombone and had never seen one before. I'm pretty familiar with most instuments but had never seen one of these before. Thought maybe it was a freak orchestra item like the different sized saxaphones. It's a Lyon Healy-American Standard. Judging by the case and velvet liner, it's pretty old. There was a 1987 receipt in the case for removing a dent, polishing and a new mouthpiece. As it turned out, the auctioneer billed it as a child's trombone. I bought it for $65. My mom has a cousin who has played trombone his entire life (he's in his 60's) with several big bands and he's never seen anything like at. How about you?? Thanks

[pyro]

Not sure. It's probably in a different key than a standard tenor trombone, kind of like a "pocket C trumpet." I have never seen one. Sounds like you got a good deal. Ask some local band techs about it. Most of those old brass instruments were made in Elkhart, and many still are.

-Chad

[Dirtbag]

Intersting, as I used to play Trombone myself, but never heard of that one...Try this link though...lots of good info..

http://home.att.net/~bobbeecher/trombone/trombone.html

[triple dude]

Dirtbag, That's a pretty neat site. Pyro, Lyon Healy was a big name years ago in pianos and organs. I think they were based in Chicago?? I see lots of old instruments (mostly brass or woodwind) at auctions. I started noticing the dealers were always bidding them so figured there must be some money in the stuff. Accordians also pop up occasionally. A couple of weeks ago, there was one with lots of metalflake including the keys AND flats. This trombone I got was at an auction out in the middle of no where and no one was really paying attention. Could be real interesting on ebay. What do you use to polish these things??