Martin Magna Trumpet 1965

1965 Martin Magna Trumpet.  Made shortly after Wurlitzer started its new serial numbers.  This horn is serial number 704821.

This horn shows some wear and tear in the form of less than perfect lacquer along with minor dings and dents.  The bell shows signs of past repair.  None of the cosmetic issues effects the playability of the horn.  It plays as beautifully as you'd expect from a Martin Committee. The horn has excellent compression.  All slides work smoothly, including the first slide trigger.  Valves are smooth and fast.  The case is two pieces, a wood/fabric inner case with spring hasps and a zippered leather outer cover.  The photos shows the case with leather cover in place, as well as with the leather cover removed.  The leather cover shows some minor wear damage and is missing two feet, while the inner case looks like new having been protected by the outer cover.

Here's what the Trumpet Gearhead, Jim Donaldson said about the Magna:

The Magna was introduced in 1955 and shared top of the line honors with the Committee. There is little apparent difference between the Magna and the Committee except the Magna had a copper bell, a brace on the tuning slide, Bach-like third valve slide stop rod, and conventional water keys, like the Handcraft Committee above. In contrast, the Committee had those "hip," in Wallace Roney's words, S-braces, and the trombone like water keys.

Kenny Dorham played a Magna from 1958 through 62. Mic Gillette of Tower of Power fame also played a Magna. Carl Dershem tells me that the Magna that Mic Gillette played was somewhere between the Committee and Magna. They made 48, of which 42 had a .470 bore, and the other 6 were .484. All had a 6" bell,and the brace between the tuning slide and bell was removed.