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Brilhart steel 4* - four-digit SN - pre-Level Air??

1K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  1saxman 
#1 ·
I've got a Brilhart which appears to be like new - it says "Designed by Arnold Brilhart" and looks like a Level Air, but does not say "Level Air." The SN is 933x. What model might this be?

At 4* it's probably not valuable, but I'd like to know. Thanks!
 
#3 ·
And I should have said: I bought this used in 1980 or so, so it certainly isn't new at all.

From the table at http://saxmundstykker.dk/MPC_Brillys_Time_Line.html, my serial number would date to Huntington NY in about 1952. That can't be right - maybe bari pieces were numbered differently?

However, the very detailed discussion at https://theowanne.com/knowledge/mouthpiece-museum/brilhart-mouthpieces/ does not show any metal mouthpieces before the Level-Air. It also says that "The first version made had heavy machine marks going from side to side on the table. The later vintage models, that otherwise looked the same, had length-wise machine marks on the table. The first version played better than the later version." Mine has side-to-side machining marks.

Wanne's discussion also does not mention when (if ever) Brilhart started making bari pieces.

So my best guess is that I have a piece from the early years after the Selmer buyout?
 
#5 ·
None of the original-type Level Airs were marked 'Level Air'. The serial number you list is a pre-Selmer number so you have an original one.
There certainly was another metal Brilhart during the '50s, called the 'Velvet Brass' that is very rarely seen. Boots Randolph played one for many years. Depending on condition, your mouthpiece could bring a couple hundred, and there are those who prefer the smaller sizes so it could certainly be sold.
 
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