Vintage 1928 Buescher Model 9 True Tone Professional Bb Trumpet LP

Vintage 1928 Buescher Model 9 True Tone Professional Bb Trumpet

Owned and Played by Bill Witte of the Memphis Serenaders

Overview

Step into the roaring jazz era with this beautifully preserved 1928 Buescher Model 9 True Tone Bb Trumpet — a rare, museum-worthy instrument once owned and played by Bill Witte, leader of the legendary Memphis Serenaders. This historic horn represents the pinnacle of Buescher's innovation, combining visual elegance with world-class performance.

A favorite among soloists and jazz artists, the Model 9 was built for stage presence and sonic clarity — making it one of the most admired trumpets of the early 20th century.

Key Features

• Model: True Tone Model 9 — also known as The Grand, The Maestro, or The Trickster

• Year: Circa 1928

• Key: Bb with quick-change slide to A

• Pitch: Low pitch (LP)

• Length: 19.5 inches

• Bell Diameter: 4.25 inches

• Bore Size: 0.435 inches (small bore)

• Weight: Approx. 2.5 lbs

Finish & Engraving – Finish E

• Plating: Quadruple silver-plated with a deep, rich velvet finish

• Gold Detailing:

  • Inside of bell and engraved areas are gold plated

  • Top and bottom valve caps, water keys, ends of tuning slides, and valve slides are all mirror finished in silver

• Engraving: The bell features handsome, ornate engraving, highlighted with gold plate and set against a mirror-polished surface inside and out — a true visual showpiece crafted to stand out on any stage

Technical Specs

• Bell Design: Buescher’s patented Split-No-Tone Bell — engineered to suppress unwanted overtones and deliver a focused, pure tone

• Valve System: Top-action valves with excellent compression and quick response

• Quick-Change Slide: Instantly shifts from Bb to A tuning — ideal for multi-ensemble performance settings

• Included Accessories: Includes original hard case and period mouthpiece 

• Condition: Very good vintage condition; original plating well-preserved with only light wear consistent with age and professional use

Historical Significance

The Model 9 True Tone trumpet, introduced in 1917, was Buescher's top-tier offering for professionals. Its ability to handle both traditional and "freak" jazz techniques (such as growls, mutes, and novelty effects like the cat's meow or duck’s quack) made it especially popular in the 1920s and ‘30s jazz and dance band circuits.

This particular instrument’s provenance is remarkable — having belonged to Bill Witte, the renowned bandleader of the Memphis Serenaders, a name synonymous with the golden age of swing.

Collector’s Value

Rare, beautifully maintained, and steeped in performance history, this 1928 Buescher True Tone Model 9 is a collector’s dream and an ideal piece for vintage instrument aficionados, jazz historians, or discerning players seeking tonal character that modern horns simply can't replicate.

The trumpet pictured is the exact one you will receive and is sold as is. See pics for details. It has been professionally cleaned and serviced with new felts and corks and is in excellent playing condition. Also included are some original accessories and print music.