Emperor Horns

Sometime after Richards Music purchased Reynolds in 1961, the product catalog was reorganized. Old model numbers were replaced with a new scheme that incorporated an abbreviation for the type of instrument, e.g. "FE" for French Horn, and a hierarchal numbering system that reflected the grade of instrument, e.g. "01" for top-level artist instruments, "56" for student horns. To the best of knowledge, the instrument specifications did not change, just the model numbers. The new numbering system was used for the rest of the company's history.

In the case of the student French horns, it appears that the Roth models introduced just a few years earlier were rebranded as Emperor horns. Model numbering is the same as Roth models of other instruments, e.g. CR-56.

After CMI purchased the assets to Reynolds, all of the trumpets, cornets, trombones and French horns were made at the Olds factory in Fullerton, Calif. There were slight adjustments to the model specifications compared to the Cleveland instruments. In some cases, a horn would come off the California production line and become either a Reynolds- or Olds-branded instrument based on detailing and finish. Emperor horns produced at the Olds plant were the same as Olds Ambassador horns, models A-45 (F) and A-48 (B♭).

In 1970, Reynolds sold their Abilene plant to Conn and merged production lines for all instruments with Olds in Fullerton. After this, Reynolds instruments were engraved "Made in USA".