Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post Reply
TexasTBone
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:23 pm

Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by TexasTBone »

I recently bought a Meister Hans Stauffer alto from Steve at the Horn Guys and was surprised to discover Jinbao does not stamp serial numbers on horns. When I added it to my insurance they strongly recommended I create something to serve as a serial number and have it stamped or engraved on the instrument. To my horror, every place that said they could do it wanted anywhere from $150 to $300 to do it.

Any suggestions on a more cost-effective solution? Also, is it worth it to have parts like spare bells for my Getzen stamped/engraved with a unique identifier?
Getzen 3062AF
Shires Q Alessi Tenor
Shires Q35 Alto
Buescher Grand Tru-Tone (1925)
User avatar
BGuttman
Posts: 6791
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by BGuttman »

I've used an engraver (hand-held vibrating metal tip) to etch identifying information in my instruments. You need to provide something that can uniquely identify your instrument -- your name, SSN, etc. You can even call it "001" since no other instrument is going to have a serial number.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
ZacharyThornton
Posts: 529
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:51 am

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by ZacharyThornton »

You are insuring a JinBao? Like the little $300ish alto?
TexasTBone
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:23 pm

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by TexasTBone »

ZacharyThornton wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:57 pm You are insuring a JinBao? Like the little $300ish alto?
It's the alto made under the Horn Guys' personal label with a reworked slide and Kanstul leadpipe. I insure all my instruments, regardless of value.
Getzen 3062AF
Shires Q Alessi Tenor
Shires Q35 Alto
Buescher Grand Tru-Tone (1925)
User avatar
Kingfan
Posts: 1277
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by Kingfan »

I would recommend against using your SSN as a serial number due to possibility of identity theft. Maybe your initials plus letters and numbers like "BGJB0001" (if you were Bruce).
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! :D
Greg Songer
Blessing USA small bore student horn, Bach 5
King 4B-F: Bach 5G
TexasTBone
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:23 pm

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by TexasTBone »

Kingfan wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:51 am I would recommend against using your SSN as a serial number due to possibility of identity theft. Maybe your initials plus letters and numbers like "BGJB0001" (if you were Bruce).
I'm looking for where to get it done, not what to put on it.
Getzen 3062AF
Shires Q Alessi Tenor
Shires Q35 Alto
Buescher Grand Tru-Tone (1925)
Crazy4Tbone86
Posts: 1519
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:52 am

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by Crazy4Tbone86 »

Are you absolutely sure the instrument does not have a serial number? Al the altos made by Jinbao that I have seen (branded as Jinbao, Selman, Durant, etc…) have a serial number laser etched on the bell.

If you do need a serial number, I recommend that you have it stamped on by a tech. Nothing high tech. A stamp set can be bought from Harbor Freight for cheap and it takes a little know-how so the instrument isn’t damaged. It should be about a $20-25 job.
Brian D. Hinkley - Player, Teacher, Technician and Trombone Enthusiast
User avatar
LeTromboniste
Posts: 1334
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:22 am
Location: Fribourg, CH
Contact:

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by LeTromboniste »

Your cheapest option will be to buy a tool to do it yourself of course (a stamp, graver or electric engraving tool, all of which are available for cheap). Probably won't look good, but if you want it to look good you'll have to go to a tech to stamp it (which will probably look marginally better) or shell out for someone with actual engraving skills. For a 400$ instrument probably not worth doing the last option, as you've discovered.

I'm also curious as I've never had a franchise so low that it made sense to insure instruments worth less than 500$.
Maximilien Brisson
www.maximilienbrisson.com
Lecturer for baroque trombone,
Hfk Bremen/University of the Arts Bremen
TexasTBone
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:23 pm

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by TexasTBone »

LeTromboniste wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:06 am I'm also curious as I've never had a franchise so low that it made sense to insure instruments worth less than 500$.
I insure my instruments as a rule, but since I already have five figures' worth of instruments insured, my carrier strongly preferred I add it to my musical instruments binder instead of including it in my standard "contents" provision of my homeowners policy. It costs me literally $1.00 per year to insure this horn.
Getzen 3062AF
Shires Q Alessi Tenor
Shires Q35 Alto
Buescher Grand Tru-Tone (1925)
afugate
Posts: 660
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:47 am
Location: Oklahoma City

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by afugate »

TexasTBone wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm
LeTromboniste wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:06 am I'm also curious as I've never had a franchise so low that it made sense to insure instruments worth less than 500$.
I insure my instruments as a rule, but since I already have five figures' worth of instruments insured, my carrier strongly preferred I add it to my musical instruments binder instead of including it in my standard "contents" provision of my homeowners policy. It costs me literally $1.00 per year to insure this horn.
Does each horn have an individual deductible or is the deductible encompass an entire incident?

For example, assume a $500 deductible. If it applies to each horn, you are wasting your dollar on this horn since replacement value is less than the deductible.

I'm not an insurance guy, so I may be asking a goofy question. (I play the trombone, so that increases the likelihood I'm asking a goofy question... :lol: )

--Andy in OKC
TexasTBone
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:23 pm

Re: Where to get serial number stamping done?

Post by TexasTBone »

afugate wrote: Fri Aug 06, 2021 4:30 am Does each horn have an individual deductible or is the deductible encompass an entire incident?
My insurance is full replacement value (new), no deductible.
Getzen 3062AF
Shires Q Alessi Tenor
Shires Q35 Alto
Buescher Grand Tru-Tone (1925)
Post Reply

Return to “Instruments”