An Authentic Jazz Era Trumpet – The Vega Standard! The Vega Company of Boston, Massachusetts, was best known for its banjos and guitars, but from the early 20th century through the mid-century years it also maintained a respected brass instrument line. After acquiring the Standard Band Instrument Company in 1909, Vega inherited both designs and craftsmen, which helped establish its reputation as a serious competitor in the New England market. Though never as widely distributed as Conn or Buescher, Vega trumpets were regarded for their solid build and refined styling. The Vega trumpets appealed particularly to conservatory students, Vaudeville theater and dance band professionals, and Boston-area musicians who valued a locally made horn with distinctive features. Among Vega’s early and most enduring trumpet designs was the Standard model, often associated with Charles E. George, who had been a designer at the Standard Band Instrument Company. The Standard was marketed as a professional level instrument, available in small, medium, and large bore versions to accommodate soloists and ensemble players alike. Period literature highlights features such as precise valve action and hand-hammered bells. Large bore Standards in particular offered greater projection and tonal breadth, making them well suited to the larger dance and theater orchestras of the 1920s. Vega brass instruments never quite reached the star-power status of Conn, Bach, Olds, or Martin, but they still found their way into professional hands during the dance band and vaudeville era of the 1920s and’30s. Duke Ellington’s early trumpeters, including Bubber Miley and Arthur Whetsel, played Vega cornets or trumpets early in their careers. The company also had a strong following among Boston-area professionals, with New England bands and conservatory musicians favoring the local maker. Vega’s marketing in trade publications targeted theater and dance orchestras, emphasizing durability and style, and a limited number of their brass instruments even made it into U. Military bands between the World Wars, though nowhere near the volume of Conn or Buescher. 4 1/2″ Diameter one-piece “French brass formula bell. 0.468 LB large bore. Quick pull slide to A with hidden screw lock. The hallmark on this horn is engraved SEMPER FACILE PRINCEPS (which translates to “easily first”), replacing the name CHAS E GEORGE which was seen on earlier models. Serial number dates to late 1929, pretty much the eve of the Great Depression. The horn is in excellent condition – clean mouthpipe and pistons, free of dents. Compression is okay, but greatly improved with the use of a quality synthetic. All slides move freely. Pistons are smooth and quick. The patented valve guides center the spring to help prevent the guide from tipping in the casing, which had been a problem with earlier designs. There is some acid bleed at the bell rim. There are signs of a previous repair at the bell wire. The horn appears to have had a fairly recent full restoration, including a high quality clear lacquer job. Since this trumpet has been in the Los Angeles area for many years the job may have been done by Robb Stewart, or at the Kanstul factory. Don’t worry about it not being original lacquer – the horn is no less collectible for it. Original case, plush lined, odor free, working latches. This fine brasswind has undergone a professional inspection prior to listing.
