Hi-Fi Cornets

Introduced in the mid-1950s, the short-lived “Hi-Fi” cornet appears to have been a large-bore (.462″) version of the medium-bore (.458") Reynolds Professional cornet. The Hi-Fi cornet features the King Master-style underslung wrap design of the Professional model, but uses a brass leadpipe and one-piece outer valve casings (later seen on the Argenta model), where the Professional model used nickel-silver materials and two-piece casings. Hi-Fi cornets were sold for the same price as the intermediate Emperor cornet and might be considered a "budget pro" horn.

The lowest serial number documented for a "Hi Fi" instrument was a cornet with SN 39243, placing it in either late 1955 or early 1956.

1952-1961

Roth-Reynolds (Cleveland, Ohio)

Model 65

Large-bore cornet

Bore: .462"
Bell: 4¾" brass
Length: 17½"
Materials: brass with nickel-silver outer tuning slides
Finish: polished brass with clear lacquer finish

This sensational new cornet from Roth-Reynolds is causing tremendous excitement everywhere. Large bore and special features embodied in the construction of this cornet give "Hi-Fi" the high fidelity performance demanded by band directors and performers. Tremendous range and power. Unquestionably the greatest value of all cornets.

1959 Roth-Reynolds catalog

1961-1964

RMC/Reynolds (Cleveland, Ohio)

Sometime after Richards Music purchased Reynolds in 1961, the product catalog was renumbered. The old numbers were replaced with a new scheme that reflected the type of instrument. To the best of knowledge, the instrument specifications did not change, just the model numbers. While the Hi-Fi model does not appear in a c.1963 product catalog, there are documented examples with the RMC bell engraving.

Model CR-##

Large-bore cornet

Bore: .462"
Bell: 4¾" brass
Length: 17½"
Materials: brass with nickel-silver outer tuning slides
Finish: polished brass with clear lacquer finish

Model 65 [SN 60957, RMC]

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