Contempora Corner – The history and brass instruments of the F.A. Reynolds Company

Preserving the history of F·A·Reynolds and the "Band Instruments of Distinction"

Photo courtesy of eBay member blckthrn

1949_03 catalog_01

Site update!

A copy of an early F.A. Reynolds catalog has been provided to the site through the generosity of Jonathan Quine. While the printed date is March 1949, the design and content of the catalog appear to be from a few years earlier, making it the earliest Reynolds catalog collected so far. Be sure to check out this sample from the mid-1940's!

Instruments

From beginning students and community band members to professional artists and symphony musicians, F.A. Reynolds offered a full catalog of brass instruments with distinctive features, exacting quality and the highest value.

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Serial Numbers

How old is your horn?

Find the unique serial number on your Reynolds, Roth or Regent instrument and check out the serial number tables to get an idea of when it was made.

Company History

Year-by-year narratives of F.A. Reynolds Co. and Ohio Band Instrument Co. activities and significant events for 50 years, from 1929 to 1979.

Biographical sketch of Foster A. Reynolds.

The Archives

Browse catalogs, price lists, artist brochures, instrument pamphlets, print ads and memorabilia from over 40+ years of F.A. Reynolds marketing and advertising.

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Popular Instruments

reynolds
cornets

Large- and medium-bore professional cornets with “underslung” wrap style. Brass or richly engraved sterling silver bells.

Contempora TENOR TROMBONES

Small- and medium-bore tenor trombones with bronze alloy bell. F-attachment available.

Contempora
French HORNS

B♭/F double French horns—Pottag and Chambers Models; single horns in F or B♭; brass or solid nickel silver.

Contempora
cornets

Medium- and large-bore cornets with bronze alloy bells, “underslung” wrap style and optional first valve triggers.

contempora Bass trombones

Reynolds and Contempora bass trombones. Single- and double-valve bass trombones with bronze alloy bells.

Reynolds
Trumpets

Reynolds’ original line of professional trumpets. Medium-bore models with brass or sterling silver bells.

Contempora trumpets

Artist-level trumpets with bronze alloy bells and optional first valve triggers. Medium- and large-bore B♭ and C models.

reynolds
Trombones

Reynolds’ original line of professional tenor trombones. Medium-bore models with brass or sterling silver bells.

reynolds
cornets

Large- and medium-bore professional cornets with “underslung” wrap style. Brass or richly engraved sterling silver bells.

Contempora TENOR TROMBONES

Small- and medium-bore tenor trombones with bronze alloy bell. F-attachment available.

Contempora
French HORNS

B♭/F double French horns—Pottag and Chambers Models; single horns in F or B♭; brass or solid nickel silver.

Contempora
cornets

Medium- and large-bore cornets with bronze alloy bells, “underslung” wrap style and optional first valve triggers.

contempora Bass trombones

Reynolds and Contempora bass trombones. Single- and double-valve bass trombones with bronze alloy bells.

Reynolds
Trumpets

Reynolds’ original line of professional trumpets. Medium-bore models with brass or sterling silver bells.

Contempora trumpets

Artist-level trumpets with bronze alloy bells and optional first valve triggers. Medium- and large-bore B♭ and C models.

reynolds
Trombones

Reynolds’ original line of professional tenor trombones. Medium-bore models with brass or sterling silver bells.

reynolds
cornets

Large- and medium-bore professional cornets with “underslung” wrap style. Brass or richly engraved sterling silver bells.

Contempora TENOR TROMBONES

Small- and medium-bore tenor trombones with bronze alloy bell. F-attachment available.

Contempora
French HORNS

B♭/F double French horns—Pottag and Chambers Models; single horns in F or B♭; brass or solid nickel silver.

Contempora
cornets

Medium- and large-bore cornets with bronze alloy bells, “underslung” wrap style and optional first valve triggers.

Did you know?

If you have a Contempora instrument with this style of "Reynolds" engraving across the bell, the style of the "E" is copied from Foster A. Reynolds' own signature:

reynolds signature

FA Reynolds signature