A Century of Back and Mouthpieces: Decoded Through Engravings

A New Perspective on Vintage Mouthpieces

Introduction | Are You Overlooking Those Engravings?

In 1918, a manufacturer began with the creation of a single mouthpiece.

That manufacturer is Vincent Bach.

Even now, more than 100 years later, his design philosophy continues to serve as the “standard,” shaping the very sound of the trumpet. It is no exaggeration to say that he is not merely a long-established brand, but the very figure who established the standard for sound.

But there’s actually one interesting detail about Bach.

It’s the difference in the engravings.

Even though they all bear the name “Bach,” the engravings vary slightly from era to era. And it is precisely these differences that provide clues to determining “when a particular instrument was made.”

Why is it important to know the markings?

While you can trace the age of a trumpet body using its serial number, mouthpieces do not have one.

In other words, the only thing you can rely on is this engraving.

"I don't really understand vintage instruments"

Many people probably feel this way and avoid them as a result.

In reality, manufacturing trends, tone, and playing feel can vary depending on the era.
While I encourage you to discover for yourself what “this era sounds like,” it’s difficult to make comparisons without some basic knowledge.

In this article, we’ll first trace the history through the differences in markings and provide an easy-to-understand explanation so you can figure out “which era the mouthpiece you currently own (or are interested in) belongs to.”

First Things First: Back’s Factories and Era Categories

The following locations are essential when discussing vintage Back mouthpieces:
・The Bronx
・New York
・Mount Vernon
・Elkhart
These all refer to the locations where factories were located during that era.

The sequence was

Bronx → Mount Vernon → Elkhart

In Japan, the Bronx period is often referred to simply as “New York,” and the Mount Vernon period as “Mount Vernon,” but the term “New York Back” is actually somewhat ambiguous.

Since the place names Mount Vernon and Bronx are contained within the larger region of "New York State," it might be more accurate to refer to them as the "New York Bronx period" and the "New York Mount Vernon period."

Let’s look at the differences in the markings

Now, let’s take a look at the actual differences in the engravings. At first glance, the logos may look the same, but upon closer inspection, there are definite differences.
Those differences are precisely what mark the transition between eras.

1920s | Early Bronx Period

In a small sans-serif font,

“VINCENT BACH CORP., NEW YORK”

or

“V BACH CORP. NEW YORK.”

The omission of “VINCENT” is believed to be due to space constraints.

Mid-1920s to Mid-1940s | Mid-Bronx Period

A characteristic of this period is the serif typeface. It is a classical font featuring "scale-like" decorations at the edges of the letters.

Also worth noting is the “O” in “CORP.”

Many examples from this period show this part missing.

This is because the stamping die was continued to be used even after it was damaged; it is not merely a defect, but an important clue for identifying this era.

Mid-1940s to 1953 | Late Bronx

The typeface returns to sans-serif, but the stamping becomes slightly larger.

The basic inscription is the same as in the mid-period:

“VINCENT BACH CORP., NEW YORK”

The transition between eras can be seen in the changes to the typeface.

1953–1964 | Mount Vernon Period

The stamp reads

"VINCENT BACH CORP. MT. VERNON N.Y"

Around 1960, the period was omitted,

changing to “VINCENT BACH CORP MT VERNON NY.”

Although a subtle difference, this is an important point for identification.

1965–1969 | Early Elkhart Period

This period is also known as the “No Dots” era,

featuring a simple "VINCENT BACH CORP" engraving.

This is a characteristic typical of the transitional period immediately following the factory relocation.

1970s | Deep Period

A design featuring a deep dot following "CORP."

This is the period commonly referred to as the “Deep Period.”

 

1980–1993 | Near Period

The dot became shallower, and this is known as the “Near Period.” This generation has a high circulation volume and is relatively common to see.

1994–1996 | No-CORP Period

For just three years, coins were minted with the inscription “VINCENT BACH.” Although similar inscriptions appeared in later years, those from this period feature a deeper stamp and distinctive numerals.

1997–2003 | Large Letter

The font size increased, resulting in a specification known as “Large Letter.”
This is a visually distinct change.

2003– | Post-Large Letter

Although there have been minor changes since then, the design has converged on the current smaller font.

The True Value of Vintage

A vintage instrument is not merely an “old tool,” but an entity that transports the atmosphere of its era into the present. And the engravings quietly tell the story of the time that instrument has lived through.

・Since I play an older instrument, I want to use a mouthpiece made during the same era
・I’m looking for one because I love the sound of that era
・My favorite player uses a vintage mouthpiece
Everyone has their own reasons for seeking out vintage items.

However, one thing is certain: everyone is seeking “something that cannot be found in New.”

If you have the chance to pick up a mouthpiece next time, please take a moment to look at the engraving. Doing so should open up a whole new world for you.

Author: Nakamura

Profile: Graduate of the

A Word from the Author :
We always have over 300 used trumpet mouthpieces in stock. If this article has sparked your interest in vintage instruments, please feel free to reach out to me. It’s okay if you don’t know anything about them. I’d be delighted to help you find the perfect one for you!

Qualifications & Experience:
There are no formal qualifications required for my job… ・I specialize in brass instrument repairs ・I can answer various questions about musical instruments ・I’m knowledgeable about instrument cases and mouthpieces

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