Learn about the legacy of Vincent Bach, the founder of the Bach Brass company.
1890
Vincenz Heinrich Schrottenbach was born in Baden bei Wein, Austria on March 24, 1890. He was the eldest son of Vincenz Schrottenbach Sr. and Leopoldina Kapeller Schrottenbach and had two brothers, Hans and Heinrich.
1897
At the age of 7, Vincenz and his two brothers received three clarions (natural trumpets) in Eb. Vincent, also known as Vinci, took an immediate liking.
At age 15, he acquired a rotary trumpet by saving lunch money, donations from a few family members, and bartering a gold scarf pin.
1904
At age 14, Vincent Bach began taking lessons from Georg Stellwagen, principal trumpet player with the Vienna Tonkunstler Orchestra. Mr. Stellwagen was considered one of the "greatest trumpet virtuosos in Europe."
1905-1911
At age 15, he acquired a rotary trumpet by saving lunch money, donations from a few family members, and bartering a gold scarf pin.
Vincent Bach studied engineering at the Maschinenbauschule, a mechanical engineering school in Vienna, Austria. While in school, he studied physics, acoustics, chemistry, machine design, mechanics, and mechanical drawing. He began his studies in engineering due to his family's encouragement, although his passion for music eventually led him to pursue a career as a musician and instrument maker instead.
Vincent graduated in July 1910 and registered for mandatory military service in the Austrian Navy.
1912-1913
After his discharge from the Austrian Navy, he toured Europe as a cornet soloist with well-received recitals in Austria, Germany, and England. His career was interrupted by his conscription into the Austrian military during World War I.
1914
Vincent bought a ticket to America on the Lusitania on September 12, 1914, the same ship later sunk by a German U-boat in 1915. Initially denied boarding due to his Austrian nationality, he followed an older gentleman’s advice to claim he was Swedish. Using the last name Peterson, Vincent arrived at Cunard Lines, Pier 59 in New York on September 18, 1914, with just $5 in hand. Upon his arrival, he began to use the name Vincent Bach.
1914-1915
After and unsatisfying stint in a vaudeville act in New York, Bach auditioned for and became a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he was Assistant Principal Trumpet for the 1914-1015 season.
1915-1917
Bach returned to New York and freelanced with various orchestras and musical groups. During this time, he also became one of two principal trumpets for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, which at the time had two orchestras, one for the opera and another for the world-famous Ballet Russe from Russia.
While on tour, Bach gave his personal trumpet mouthpiece to a local repairman for minor adjustments. Unfortunately, the repairman did not have the necessary skill or tools, and he ended up severely damaging the mouthpiece. Bach found it difficult to find a replacement, often having to wait months at a time for shipments from Europe.
1917
After the U.S. entered World War I, Vincent Bach enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a sergeant and bandmaster, leading the band of the 306th Field Artillery Regiment, part of the 77th Division, stationed at Camp Upton on Long Island, New York, until 1918, the final year of the war.
1918
At the conclusion of his military service in 1918, Vincent Bach performed as a soloist in several New York theaters, including the Rivoli, Capitol, and Rialto. Dissatisfied with the mouthpiece options available, he began experimenting with making his own. He rented a small space on East 85th Street in New York City to craft his own mouthpieces to suit his needs.
When fellow musicians heard him hit high the ‘high F’ during solos, they became curious about his mouthpiece and wanted one for themselves. Bach’s mouthpieces quickly grew in popularity, with musicians willing to pay up to $50 (equivalent to about $890 today) for one of his custom designs.
1922-1928
Due to the growing demand for his custom mouthpieces, Vincent Bach moved production in 1922 to a larger factory at 237 East 41st Street in New York City. It was at this location, starting in 1924, that he began to study and design Trumpets and Cornets.
1924-1927
Building on the success of his mouthpieces, Vincent Bach began designing and crafting his own line of trumpets in 1924, drawing on his engineering expertise and insights from the broader brass instrument industry.
He sold his first Bach trumpets in 1925, the Stradivarius Model 1, in 1925. The success of this first model helped establish Bach's reputation and led to the expansion of the Bach Stradivarius line, which remains one of the most respected names in trumpet manufacturing to this day.
1926-1927
The Stradivarius trumpet set a new standard in brass instrument manufacturing. Bach’s meticulous engineering and attention to detail made the Stradivarius line famous for its rich, resonant sound and precise intonation.
1928
To meet the increasing demand for his mouthpieces and brass instruments, Vincent Bach relocated in 1928 to a larger plant at 621 East 216th Street in the Bronx. It was here that he began manufacturing trombones, expanding his product line.
In the late 1920s, Bach also introduced the Bach Stradivarius Mute for trumpets and trombones, further cementing his reputation for innovation in the brass industry.
1929-1940
Vincent Bach’s trumpets and trombones quickly became the gold standard in the brass world, endorsed by leading musicians such as Max Schlossberg of the New York Philharmonic and Georges Mager of the Boston Symphony. Bach’s instruments quickly found their place in every genre, from symphony orchestras to film scores, popular music, and jazz, solidifying Bach’s reputation as a cornerstone of the brass community.
1942
In 1942, Vincent Bach published The Art of Trumpet Playing, a comprehensive guide that shares his insights into trumpet technique, including embouchure, breathing, articulation, and musical interpretation. The book remains a significant resource for trumpet players, and reflects Bach’s extensive experience as a performer, teacher, and instrument maker. Its influence continues to be felt today in both pedagogical and professional trumpet playing.
1950
During a period of significant growth at The Bach Corporation, Vincent Bach was greatly supported by his wife, Esther. Her invaluable contributions to the success of the business were evident in many ways. For example, in a letter to C.L. Bickel, the retired president of Selmer, Vincent requested that some recognition be given to Esther on their golden wedding anniversary. He proposed the following inscription: "To Esther Bach, the linguist and advertising promoter of Vincent Bach, the artist, and designer of Bach instruments, whose collaboration with her husband laid the foundation for the enduring success of today’s Vincent Bach Corporation."
1953
In 1953, The Vincent Bach Corporation relocated to a state-of-the-art facility at 50 MacQuesten Parkway in Mount Vernon, New York, marking a new era of production for the company.
1961
In 1961, at the age of 71, Vincent Bach made the decision to sell his company. Despite receiving twelve offers, some of which were higher, Bach chose to sell to H. & A. Selmer, Inc. (later known as The Selmer Company). His close relationship with Selmer over the years convinced him that this company would honor the Bach tradition of excellence and build upon the foundations he had established.
Operations continued in Mount Vernon for two more years, with Vincent Bach serving as President of the Vincent Bach Corporation until 1963.
1964
In 1964, all tooling and machinery were moved from Mount Vernon, New York, to Selmer’s operations in Elkhart, Indiana, with Vincent Bach assisting in the training and transition of production. He remained with the company as a consultant until his passing in 1976 and was a frequent visitor to Elkhart, continuing to offer guidance and ensure the quality of the Bach brand.
1967
In 1967, Selmer built a new factory at 500 Industrial Parkway in Elkhart, Indiana, specifically for the production of Bach instruments. This facility remains the home of Bach production today, where instruments are crafted with inspiration from Vincent Bach’s original designs, while continuing to honor his legacy of innovation and ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship.
1976
Vincent Bach passed away on January 8, 1976, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to influence the world of brass instruments through his innovative designs and commitment to craftsmanship.
1977-Present
The distinctive sound of Bach can be heard today across every genre of music, from symphony and opera to jazz, pop, film scores, and marching bands, setting a standard of sonic excellence for over a century.
Vincent Bach’s exacting standards made his name renowned worldwide, a legacy that continues in Elkhart, Indiana. Today, the Bach legacy continues to innovate and deliver unparalleled tone and craftsmanship, remaining the global standard for musicians everywhere.
