Ever wonder how the serial number stamp relates to the vintage of your Bach trumpet or trombone? We got you!
Trumpet and Cornet
Serial Numbers are located on the valve block, stamped on the 2nd valve casing
Before 1990 (Elkhart Era): Front side of the valve block, upper baluster, stamped horizontally
After 1990 (Elkhart Era): Reverse side of the valve block, bottom casing, stamped vertically
Early New York Era (before 1940): Reverse side of the valve block, bottom casing, stamped horizontally below location stamp
Mt Vernon Era (1953-1965): Front side of the valve block, upper baluster, stamped horizontally. Like pre-1990 example, with addition of location stamp on reverse side.
| Serial Number | Year Manufactured |
| 14 | 1925 |
| 200 - 400 | 1926 Apollo Models |
| 500 | 1926 |
| 600 | 1927 |
| 900 | 1928 |
| * 8600 - 8700 | 1928 |
| 1450 | 1930 |
| 2250 | 1935 |
| * 10,000 | 1939 Mercury Models |
| 4650 | 1940 |
| 5500 | 1941 |
| 6500 | 1945 |
| 9100 | 1950 |
| 12,000 | 1953 Moved from Bronx to Mt. Vernon |
| 13,600 | 1955 |
| * 30,000 - 33,000 | 1955 Mercury Models |
| 19,500 | 1960 |
| 21,000 | 1961 Purchased by Selmer (USA) |
| 24,000 | 1964 |
| 30,000 | 1965 Moved to Elkhart, IN |
| 50,000 | 1970 |
| 100,000 | 1974 |
| 112,000 | 1975 |
| 175,000 | 1980 |
| 200,000 | 1981 |
| 230,000 | 1983 |
| 250,000 | 1985 |
| 336,000 | 1990 |
| 420,000 | 1994 |
Please Note: Vincent Bach used the trade names of Stradivarius, Mercedes, Mercury, Minerva, & Apollo. For unknown reasons, Bach numerical order varies from time to time. In 1939 the Mercury models had serial numbers in the 10,000's. The first Minerva (#2722) was manufactured in 1958.
In 1928 the Apollo serial numbers were 8600 - 8700. The Apollo model was reintroduced in 2023 under the 170 series, starting with serial number 800,000.
The Mercedes model was introduced early on in the New York factory, but production was inconsistent until the late 1980s. The original Mercedes, intermediate-level based on the Stradivarius design, are stamped like pre-1990s trumpets. The later student-level Mercedes II, Bundy, and TR300 models are stamped on the reverse side of the valve block, and later using a different serial number system.
Trombone
| Serial Number | Year Manufactured |
| 8600-8799 Apollo | 1928 |
| 1 | 1929 |
| 200 | 1933 |
| 400 | 1935 |
| 10,000-10,999 Mercury | 1939 |
| 1600 | 1940 |
| 2200 | 1942 |
| 2500 | 1945 |
| 3450 | 1950 |
| 4500 | 1955 |
| 5700 | 1960 |
| 5950 | 1961 |
| 6900 | 1964 |
| 8000 | 1965 |
| 11,800 | 1970 |
| 17,500 | 1975 |
| 25,000 | 1977 |
| 39,000 | 1979 |
| 45,000 | 1981 |
| 55,000 | 1983 |
| 65,000 | 1985 |
| 91,000 | 1990 |
| 115,000 | 1994 |
Please Note: Bach trombones generally do not have matching serial numbers for the bell section and slide section. It is believed that in the Elkhart factory, they are made separately, and then paired at the end of production.