Roth Trumpets

The Roth trumpet was originally manufactured by Ohio Band Instrument Co., F.A. Reynolds’ student instrument manufacturing division. Advertisements for Roth instruments in general exist from 1940; the earliest recorded Roth trumpet is SN 31959 (~1943-44). After the corporate sale to Scherl & Roth in 1946, Reynolds continued to produce Roth instruments under the Ohio Band name until 1950, then briefly under the “F.A Reynolds” label until they were rebranded as “Roth-Reynolds” instruments circa 1952.

The Roth “Tone Tempered” model was introduced around the same time that Reynolds launched the new Emperor line (1947). Both models featured brass construction with a nickel-silver bell flare. The Roth variant appears to have been discontinued in the early 1950s.

1936-c.1950

Model	Size	Description	Example
300	Bore: TBD Bell: TBD	Roth B♭ Trumpet | Body: TBD | Valves: TBD | Finish: Clear lacquer or silverplated gold bell
400	Bore: TBD Bell: TBD	Roth “Tone Tempered” B♭ Trumpet | Bell: brass bell with nickel-silver bell flare | Body: brass; nickel-silver bracing | Valves: TBD | Finish: Clear lacquer

c.1950-1952

1952-1964

Model	Size	Description	Example
300	Bore: .458″ Bell: 4-5/8″ Length: 21½”	Roth B♭ Trumpet (Made by Roth-Reynolds) | Bell: brass bell | Body: brass | Valves: nickel-silver pistons | Finish: clear lacquer finish
		A design change sometime in 1958/59 eliminated the slanted brace on the main tuning bow of the earlier models.

Notes and Quotes

1953 Roth-Reynolds catalog:

Roth Trumpets and Cornets – the greatest value in band instruments today! Designed to guarantee maximum quality at a minimum investment. Carefully made and modern in design, this model is ideal for student musicians. Hand-lapped, nickel silver pistons for years of service. Ease of blowing means young musicians will learn quickly, play proficiently and enoy their instrument. Durable brass with clear lacquer finish and complete with new design trunk style case and special fittings.

1958, 1959 Roth-Reynolds catalogs:

Designed to guarantee maximum quality at a minimum investment. Represents finest American craftsmanship (not an imported horn). Carefully made and modern in design, this model is ideal for student musicians. Hand-lapped, nickel silver pistons for years of service. Ease of blowing means young musicians will learn quickly, play proficiently and enoy their instrument. Durable brass with clear lacquer finish and complete with a newly designed Gladstone case and special fittings.