The Elkhart Band Instrument Company was formed by the presidents of Buescher and Conn in 1923. Buescher took full control in 1927, operating the company until 1936, when Elkhart was dissolved. After that, Buescher used the Elkhart name for their line of student instruments until the name was retired in 1959.
They made a lot of stencil instruments, which is of some personal interest since my first clarinet was apparently a stencil.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elkhart_Band_Instrument_Company
And in 2018, I bought an Elkhart clarinet, Built by Buescher, of uncertain vintage, but old enough for the dye in the ebonite to fade to a very attractive dark olive. Not a bright enough green to endow it with any magic powers, I'm afraid.
It comes in a slimline case proudly emblazoned "Elkhart, Built by Buescher", so it dates between 1927 and 1959.
The serial number is 57901. I don't suppose anyone knows where to find a list of Elkhart serial numbers.
At first examination, it holds a vacuum fairly well, so the pads seem to have some life left. The cork between the joints is wobbly and needs to be replaced, and the cork on the cheap no-name plastic mouthpiece is damaged, so it's time to buy a Hite.
They made a lot of stencil instruments, which is of some personal interest since my first clarinet was apparently a stencil.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elkhart_Band_Instrument_Company
And in 2018, I bought an Elkhart clarinet, Built by Buescher, of uncertain vintage, but old enough for the dye in the ebonite to fade to a very attractive dark olive. Not a bright enough green to endow it with any magic powers, I'm afraid.
It comes in a slimline case proudly emblazoned "Elkhart, Built by Buescher", so it dates between 1927 and 1959.
The serial number is 57901. I don't suppose anyone knows where to find a list of Elkhart serial numbers.
At first examination, it holds a vacuum fairly well, so the pads seem to have some life left. The cork between the joints is wobbly and needs to be replaced, and the cork on the cheap no-name plastic mouthpiece is damaged, so it's time to buy a Hite.