Other horns Mendez might have played in his career.

[Vin DiBona]

A few years ago on ebay, I saw a Bach from the 30's that was engraved with a picture of Mendez on it and was also very ornately engraved. I believe the horn had his name on it, but my memory is a little hazy on that point.
Did he play a custom made Bach early in his career? What other horns did he used before his beloved Besson and the Olds Mendez model?
Rich Tomasek

[trpt.hick]

I can't say that anyone would know what all he ever played during his entire lifetime, but the Rafael Mendez Library has photos of him in is 20s holding a Conn 22B (at least it looks like one). He played on the French Besson for most of his early "famed" years (ca. 1940 - 1950). He signed with Olds in 1950.

Most all of his albums were recorded with the Besson, even though the photos of him on the Decca covers have him holding the Olds Mendez model.

Bach? Could be. I have never heard of the horn mentioned anywhere and I have not found any photos of him with one. Makes me wonder if Vincent Bach had a presentation horn made for him. If so, one would think that the engraving would state such a thing. I would really like to see the bell engraving you describe.

DH