Getzen Eterna Cornet History

[DC]

Can anyone here confirm for me in what year Getzen first started building Eterna cornets?

Thanks!

D.
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Conn Vintage One 1BR-46R-SLB -- GR66L
Getzen 20S -- GR66L
Conn 51B C trumpet -- TBD
Conn Vintage One Flugelhorn -- GR66FD
Yamaha YCR-6335HS Cornet -- Sparx 3
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"He heals the brokenhearted, and bandages their wounds" -- Psalm 147:3

[cleanhead77]

I think it was about 1963-64 when Sandy Knowles (?) bought the company from the Getzen family. Part of the deal was that The Getzen family couldn't use the name, so Donald Getzen formed the DEG company. This is all memory, so I can't be positive of all these details.
I think Donald Getzen actually designed the Eterna cornet, as both DEG and Blessing sold the same design, however neither of theses two gained anywhere near the popularity of the Eterna.
Knowles brought in Doc Severinsen as part owner and he helped design the Eterna and other Getzen trumpets, but I don't think he had much to do with the cornets.
The whole plant burned to the ground about 1965 but was rebuilt very quickly. The trumpets were a little different after that in minor details like the stop assembly on the 3rd valve. Getzen's Ray Amado developed the Amado water key which was added to all Getzens about 1971 or so.
Check out the Getzen website - they may have more or better information.............................Bill Barnes
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So many horns, so little time........
I agree - Love Animals, don't eat them.

[Getzen]

OK, there are some errors in the above post that I am going to clear up a bit.

1) The Eterna Cornet was first built in 1964. I'm not sure who designed it though.

2) The company was sold by my great-grandfather in 1960 to Harold Knowlton.

3) Don Getzen stayed on with Mr. Knowlton after the purchase of the company. I believe as a sales manager. He worked there until 1965 when he left to found DEG.

4) Doc was not a part owner of the company. He worked very closely with them as an endorsing artist and clinician, but not as a part owner.

5) The fire was in the fall of 1963. Any changes to the instruments after the fire were design changes that were already in place before the fire. To the best of my knowledge, nothing was changed due to the fire. That is one thing Knowlton tried very hard to accomplish so that people would recognize Getzen for what it was and not abandon the line during its down time.

So anyway, to answer the original question, the 800 Eterna Cornet was started in 1964.

Brett Getzen
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Brett Getzen
President
Getzen Company

Follow Getzen on:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/getzencompany/

Twitter https://twitter.com/GetzenCompany

If you have a question please feel free to email me at brett@getzen.com.

[billb]

This is purportedly a Getzen Eterna cornet prototype from before the fire:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281147736204?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

The tubing wrap looks the same as modern Eternas, but different from 70's-80's DEG cornets, which have a more traditional wrap.

Does that eBay horn look legit?

[oxleyk]

[fedjazz]

I've got a large bore Eterna, number C801, with first slide trigger...priceless.
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Boston 3 Star cornet - 1886
Getzen Eterna LB cornet - 1963
Conn New Wonder cornet - 1916

[blbaumgarn]

This is interesting to me, we played Getzen Eternas in the symphonic band at Bowling Green St. U. when I was there. I had a Conn 36B which I abhorred at the time so I played everything including juries on the Getzen. It was just fun to play and practice. I am 67, so now I want to spend lots on a Shires or Yamaha Shew horn. Getzen made great horns for the money in the day.

[delano]

Old thread but I love my Eterna 800ML cornet.

[connicalman]

Bump

Also relevant:
There is a new deluxe 800 in town
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kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

[blbaumgarn]

I posted on this topic 2 1/2 years ago and said I had dreams of different Yamahas, Shew horns, etc. The truth is that Eterna I played was the most fun I ever had playing a horn. I owned a Benge 5 for 27 years and it is a different horse for a different course, but equal in the fun department. Now Getzen has two Deluxe trumpets and a Deluxe cornet. Forget the other brands. The Deluxe trumpet with the copper bell fascinates me. Now I dream of having one of each the trumpet and the cornet.
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush

[plankowner110]

[blbaumgarn]

You know at 69 I am aware of that, too, and so far, I haven't pulled the trigger.
You are right, though. Eventually we have to step up to the plate. Have a good one.
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush