Yeah, I sold my first trumpet, a 1961 Conn 6B Victor while I was in college to buy a Bach Strad. The Bach, a 1976 model, was a fine trumpet, and I still play it today, but I’ve always regretted selling the Conn. A number of years ago, I saw a pristine 1960 Conn for sale on eBay, just like my old one, and bought it. Not my original trumpet, but its twin, so I did my best to replace it...
Yes, they fit the valves to a specific horn, so they stamped them with matching numbers to keep them together during the manufacturing process. They will always start with a 1, or a +3 number - 1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,...etc. How high they go depended on the number of like instruments in the production run. The next production run would start at 1 again.
Here’s a link to more 19th century Besson history and serial numbers. Your cornet may be a few years older than you think. This is excellent reference material.
Check out this site. You may want to contact them for some insight on your cornet and register it on the site so there’s a historical record of it. They registered my 1890 F. Besson and gave me some good info on it. They were pretty slow to respond, though.
http://homepages.ed.ac.uk/am/gdnj.html
Here’s a screen shot of the page containing instruments from that serial number era.
Yep, tuning is a moving target as you’re playing with a group. That’s why I discourage people from playing or rehearsing with a group while watching a tuner on their stand. That’s a great way to play out of tune with the group.
Yep. I usually wear a full coverage Snell approved helmet, gloves, boots, heavy jeans, and a motorcycle jacket. Not overboard protection, but I’m comfortable with it. I’ve been riding since 1966, raced motocross in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s (but was mediocre at it), and am still here, so I suppose I’m fairly decent at it by now...lol
@j-jericho said in New Toy (not a trumpet):
Decades ago I set up and autocrossed a friend's Sunbeam Tiger. What blast! It was a bit tail-happy, but it just made steering with the throttle easier.
A few years ago I had the chance to autocross a couple of Mazda MX-5s. Superb. Dale, you've got a winner there. Happy motoring!
Thanks. Yes, I can relate to a very light car with a lot of power - there’s a lot of fun to be had there. I also have a couple motorcycles, so they satisfy my need for hooliganism. 
@j-jericho said in New Toy (not a trumpet):
This swap changes the handling less than one might think. Check this out:
Youtube VideoAlso, weren't the AC Ace and the Sunbeam Alpine nimble little roadsters?
It’s all academic to me. No way I would gut the drivetrain of an almost new car and spend a pile more money to get something similar to what I’m getting rid of...lol
@j-jericho said in New Toy (not a trumpet):
In case you want to warm things up... https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/ND.php
autoevolution.com
Ha ha. Nope, this one is staying stock for sure. Fun little roadster that handles like it’s on rails and has plenty of zip. Once you make them front heavy and overpower the chassis, they don’t handle well. Anyway, I’ve driven a slightly hopped-up Mustang GT with a big V8 for years and I’m tired of it. I’ll sell it to some high school kid as soon as the weather gets nicer...lol
Very cool! I wish a few of my old horns had some of the original paperwork with them.
@administrator said in New Toy (not a trumpet):
Miata? 2021?
Yes, a Miata, but a 2017 model. Just 6300 miles on it though - like brand new.
I bought myself a new toy a few weeks ago. It was warm enough today to put the top down for the first time. 
@kehaulani said in Star Spangled Banner:
Didn't Francis Scott Key write only the text? Then wouldn't he have had no influence over the melody?
The melody used was an old British tune.
@richard-iii said in Arban’s Cornet:
@dale-proctor More photos are up now.
Yes, I saw them a little while ago. That water key on it bothers me, though.
Josh Landress posted this pic on a Facebook page today. He has apparently acquired the personal cornet of Jean-Baptist Arban, made in the late 1840s. No other photos at this time...
Nice cornet. I’m a little surprised there’s no trigger on the 1st valve slide, though. Have you played it yet?
@bigdub said in A little humour:
I always wanted to express my feel for these civil servants we owe so much respect to....”THE BUILDING INSPECTOR”
By me.
...until you have to deal with one who’s a little Napoleon. I knew the codes better than he did, but it took a call to his supervisor to get him to see it my way.
