FYI--I just pushed a major overhaul of the contemporacorner.com website live. Lots of new stuff to absorb, including:
Significantly expanded company history. I've done a lot of research on the period between 1929 and 1969, filling in lots of gaps and background history to how Reynolds got started, how the company was organized, what role Scherl & Roth played (and when they did).
Updated the bio for Foster A. Reynolds from much of the same research sources
Scanned in lots of new catalogs, price lists and brochures. Added a 1963 RMC catalog, a 1960s trombone brochure and lots of 1970s price lists
Many new print ads from the 1940s and 1950s
Updated the story of the Stereophonic (double valve bass tbn) with various details from Ostrander's side of things
I know it's been a long time coming, but I'm really happy to get this update finished. That said, I'm well aware that the site is pretty light on details about the basses, tubas and sousaphones. Would love to hear from folks here about details or stories that could be added to the content.
I have a Contempora sousaphone that was one of a matched set of 12 that the University of Minnesota purchased in late 1960 to march in Kennedy’s inaugural parade. The horns were totally refurbished in the mid 70’s and all bells except one were replaced. I have the horn with the original bell.
My wife has a Contempora mellophone from the early-mid 70’s.
ronr wrote: ↑Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:50 pm
I have a Contempora sousaphone that was one of a matched set of 12 that the University of Minnesota purchased in late 1960 to march in Kennedy’s inaugural parade. The horns were totally refurbished in the mid 70’s and all bells except one were replaced. I have the horn with the original bell.
Thanks for sharing that! There was a bunch of articles and ads produced about Purdue buying 8 recording basses around that time, but I hadn't seen the Minnesota purchase mentioned anywhere. I'll have to add that to the history page.
