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1913 York cornet



 
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SarahK
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Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 2:38 am    Post subject: 1913 York cornet Reply with quote

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give me their opinion on this York cornet I'm thinking of buying? Owner says it was made in 1913. I can't seem to find much info on this particular type of cornet, which plays in A, B and C.

https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_cornetta-york-grand-rapids-michigan-del-1913-tonalita-a-b-c_id6730139.html?stkn=q732Yy1hK5X23jnr

Many thanks in advance.
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jhatpro
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Joined: 17 Mar 2002
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 3:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

An interesting find. I’ve owned several vintage Yorks although not that model. They were well made but, as with many vintage instruments, needed some repair and realignment.

Also to be considered, standard pitch in those days varied from modern 440 so you may have trouble getting it to play in tune with other instruments.
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"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

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OldSchoolEuph
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know what the model name was for those, but York sold a lot of them - more for stencil I think than in their own name (making minor tweaks to the appearance for the stores they stenciled them for).

The pluses:
-This was the golden age of York. Most anything they made was decent.
-Overall it is in pretty good shape
-That appears to be the Low Pitch (A=440) tuning slide
-Despite the many sold, few have survived as intact as this one

The minuses:
-It will only play in 2 of the 3 designed keys (I am not sure if that insert is for A or Bb. I believe it is the A insert, and there would have been a pigtail replacement leadpipe for the tuning slide to play in C)
-Someone demolished the tuning slide trying to get it unstuck and the amateurish repair with non-original parts is not aesthetically pleasing
-The valves are original - and York valves were buffed to fit and leaked from day 1.
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Ron Berndt
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Andy Cooper
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Joined: 15 Nov 2001
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is 1916 but it looks pretty close.

https://www.yorkloyalist.com/1916catalog

Should you buy it?

As a collector's item and perhaps for restoration?
Yes.
York cornets had a very good reputation. Always nice to have reference horns around to compare with the sound of modern cornets.

To actually perform with in a concert band?
No.
There are plenty of very playable used cornets on e-Bay that will already have pretty tight valves , play in tune and that will accept modern cornet mouthpieces without alteration.
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royjohn
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Joined: 12 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 4:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would be careful of a York cornet that old. I have two from the oughts (~ '03) and both are completely unplayable because of leaky valves. They are put away for an eventual restoration. Yes, there are very nice period cornets when restored.
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Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
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