# How can I tell how old this trombone is?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 10, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226 "2003-02-10T22:56:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226/1 "2003-02-10T22:56:22Z")

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My son has his new-used trombone, and is wondering how to figure out how old it is. I think it can be done by the identification number, but I’m not sure how. Maybe someone here can fill me in.

Vital stats:  
Holton F-Trigger Slide Trombone  
Serial #: TR160623345

It’s a beaut!

Thanks for any help,  
karol

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226/2 "2003-02-10T23:27:44Z")

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Yes, it’s a beaut. You have a modified Holton TR-160, manufactured by G. LeBlanc, Inc. I can’t find a serial number index that goes up later than 1980, but they seem to sell about 5000 a year, so I’d guess – 1993?

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**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226/3 "2003-02-10T23:28:35Z")

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[LeBlanc](http://www.gleblanc.com/welcomenew/homeset_720.html) appears to be a distributor of Holton trombones. Give them a call.

Failing that, of course, cut it open and count the rings.

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**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226/4 "2003-02-10T23:29:06Z")

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Serial Number & manufacturer is usually all you need. You can probably contact the manufacturere to get the answer, though a repair shop will probably be able to find it for you.

In this case, it helps to know that Holton is owned by [LeBlanc](http://www.gleblanc.com/welcomenew/homeset_720.html). The serial number is just the last 6 digits, TR160 is the model number. I’d think it comes from the early to mid 1980s, but don’t know for sure.

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**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-tell-how-old-this-trombone-is/154226/5 "2003-02-10T23:31:41Z")

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That should be 19 **9** 0s; I’m in agreement with **Nametag** ’s estimate.