Sterling Virtuoso Model and Serial Numbers

[daruby]

Hi all,

In a previous posting, I had provided incomplete information about Sterling Virtuoso model numbers. After texting with Paul Riggett, I have the data:

1050 = baritone
1065 = euphonium
(there are others, but I don't know what they are)

H = Heavy bell - absence of the H means standard weight
G = Gold Brass (same as "red brass") - absence of a G means Yellow brass.
S = Silver plated

So for example:
1065S = standard weight, yellow brass, with silver plating
1065GS = standard weight gold brass with silver plating
1065HS = heavy weight yellow brass with silver plating
1065HGS = heavy weight, gold brass with silver plating.

These days, ALL Sterling horns are likely to be silver plate as I do not believe he makes lacquer horns any more. Also, other options such as gold plating of buttons, caps, and slide bows, triggers, and bell size, are not covered in the model number, but can be observed/measured directly. The bell sizes for euphs are 300mm (11.8"), 305mm (12"), and 310mm (12.2").

I think that is it..

Doug

[daruby]

Serial Number data

To follow up on the previous post. I do not believe that Sterling maintains exact records of their serial numbers, but for relative comparison:

1. Sterling Virtuoso Euphonium - 1065HGS 753776 dates to September, 2009.
   
2. Sterling Virtuoso Baritone - 1050HGS 754325 dates to August, 2015 (6 years and 549 units later than #1)
3. Sterling Virtuoso Euphonium - 1065HGS 754386 dates to sometime in 2016 (1 year and 61 units later than #2)

I seem to recall Paul Riggett saying he makes around 100-ish instruments per year. Another tidbit: All of the bells on the euphoniums are "spun" by Andy Taylor, formerly of Paxman and now proprietor of Taylor Trumpets. Taylor makes most all of the bells for Sterling, Paxman, and his own company.

[bbocaner]

That's Paxman. Some of the best french horns. https://www.paxman.org.uk/

[daruby]

That's Paxman. Some of the best french horns. https://www.paxman.org.uk/

Barry, thanks. I knew that but my brain was in reverse. Old age ya know!

[bbocaner]

I hear you. same!

[tbonesullivan]

Thanks so much! That definitely does make sense. I'm going to assume that the "Gold Brass" is 85/15 alloy, though it could be 90/10.

The whole red brass, gold brass, rose brass confusion is something I see a lot of in the trombone world. It also carries over into the foundry world as well.

The alloys usually used are copper/zinc ratios of 70/30, 85/15, and 90/10, which are Yellow Brass, Gold/Rose Brass, and Red Brass. However sometimes the 85/15 is called "Red Brass".

To make matters worse, the foundries that produce brass have their own names for them. 70/30 is Cartridge Brass. 85/15 is "Red Brass" and 90/10 is "Commercial Bronze.

[SpifWind]

Thanks so much! That definitely does make sense. I'm going to assume that the "Gold Brass" is 85/15 alloy, though it could be 90/10.

The whole red brass, gold brass, rose brass confusion is something I see a lot of in the trombone world. It also carries over into the foundry world as well.

The alloys usually used are copper/zinc ratios of 70/30, 85/15, and 90/10, which are Yellow Brass, Gold/Rose Brass, vulkanvegas.com/ca/category/classic-slots and Red Brass. However sometimes the 85/15 is called "Red Brass".

To make matters worse, the foundries that produce brass have their own names for them. 70/30 is Cartridge Brass. 85/15 is "Red Brass" and 90/10 is "Commercial Bronze.

I agree with you.The entire red metal, gold metal, rose metal disarray is something I see a ton of in the trombone world. It additionally persists into the foundry world also.

The compounds normally utilized are copper/zinc proportions of 70/30, 85/15, and 90/10, which are Yellow Brass, Gold/Rose Brass, and Red Brass. Anyway in some cases the 85/15 is classified "Red Brass"

[guidocorona]

And then of course there is unalloyed Copper, which is used as the bell material of some high-brass horns, such as the Kanstul 1525. However, I have not seen pure Copper sheet used to form the bells of any euphonium yet
G
.

[Fujiifilm]

And then of course there is unalloyed Copper, which is used as the bell material of some high-brass horns, such as the Kanstul 1525. However, I have not seen pure Copper sheet used to form the bells of any euphonium yet
G
.

I think Kanstul's professional level euphs (the 975 and/or 976) had copper and bronze as options for bell material. However outside of them, I don't know of any other companies that offer it on euph.

[guidocorona]

I do recall Kanstul offering an optional Tin Bronze bell priced at about $275 for the 976 euphonium, which was the model with the user-removable/replaceable bell.... However, I do not seem to recall a pure Copper bell being available for either 976 or 975.

Regards, Guido

[Fujiifilm]

Just checked Kanstul's old website (which is fortunately still running as an archive, at least for now) in case I misremembered.

http://www.kanstul.com/instruments/e...ing-euphonium/

It looks like they did offer both bronze and copper bell options on the 976, though it doesn't say if they used a sheet of copper, or something like the electroplating method that Conn used to use for their "Coprion" bells. Either way, it's a neat offering and kind of cool how the bell was removeable.

[guidocorona]

Wow, you are absolutely correct, Fuji.... Looks like 976 did have both bronze and copper bell options!

So unfortunate that the Kanstul brothers decided to pull in the ores and shutter down the shop. At one time I had heard that B.A.C. had purchased all Kanstul tooling and mandrins, but I do not know what came of that initiative.

Regards, Guido