Donald E Getzen Signature Flugelhorn

[The Beck]

I just bought a silver plated Donald E Getzen Signature Flugelhorn #173987. It has top-sprung valves with horizontal valve slides and plays well.

Can anyone help me with its history: when/where it was made, etc.?
Many thanks!
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Soli Deo Gloria!

[Uberopa]

Tony Scodwell posts here regularly. He was the designer of these instruments and is a wealth of knowledge.

[The Beck]

Thanks! I'll watch out for his posts 🎶[/list]
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Soli Deo Gloria!

[Tony Scodwell]

This flugelhorn was made prior to my involvement with DEG. Don Getzen had these horns made by Blessing and some later "Donald E Getzen" signature models were made by the Swiss company Wiilson which used bottom sprung valves made by Bauerfeind which Wiilson owned at that time. The horns I designed were called "Signature 2000" and two models of trumpets called the "New York" and the "LA" along with the flugelhorn which introduced the tuning lower branch design and the three and four valve piccolos which no less than William Vacchiano asked to endorse. The Bb and Eb cornets were in the line-up along with C and Eb trumpets. The "Signature 2000" instruments were all made in the Allied factory which was owned by Don's brother Bob. Allied also produced the entire line of marching instruments labeled "Dynasty". Allied is now called Allied Supply and is a major source of parts for repair technicians and the original Getzen family is producing fine instruments in the same location along with their line of Edwards trumpets and trombones. Don died earlier this year and his old company DEG currently makes marching instruments in their own factory but no longer makes brass instruments.

Tony Scodwell
www.scodwellusa.com

[The Beck]

Thanks so much, Tony -- much appreciated! I'm so glad to be able to join this conversation with good folks with your depth of experience. Thanks again!
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Soli Deo Gloria!