The Getzen Musical Instrument Company story goes back more than 70 years to a converted dairy barn in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It was there that T.J. Getzen started a band instrument repair business in 1939. In 1946, Getzen started producing his first trombones, making 1,000 the first year. Trumpet and cornet production followed in 1947. In 1949, T.J.'s son J. Robert Getzen became plant superintendant and production of piston bugles for drum and bugle corps began under the Getzen name.

By the end of the 1950s, Getzen had 80 employees and was able to increase both the quality and quantity of their instruments. Helped by "Doc" Severinsen and other well-known professional musicians, the Getzen Company started designing and manufacturing a line of professional trumpets, cornets, and flugel horns in the 1960s that met with the same success as its student instruments. A 1963 fire razed the Getzen factory to the ground, but in less than a year production was back to normal.

In 1991, after production problems and financial hardship the Getzen Company, under the direction of Charles Andrews, declared bankruptcy. Shortly thereafter, Allied Music Corporation, owned and operated by grandsons of the Getzen Company founder, purchased the assets of the Getzen Company.

The same year, an 18,000 square foot addition was built, effectively doubling the factory's size to accommodate new equipment and employees. Tom and Ed Getzen pledged to improve the quality of the company's instruments in order to return the Getzen Company to its former greatness.

1992 marked the introduction of completely redesigned Getzen professional trombones. The market responded favorably to the ever-improving production quality and the Getzen Company began to regain respect as an instrument manufacturer.

In 1999, after more than two decades in business together, Tom Getzen purchased Ed Getzen's shares becoming the sole owner and president of the company. By 2001, with the introduction of a new Severinsen Custom Trumpet, the Getzen Company was once again producing some of the finest instruments in the world. In 2004, Getzen introduced a new small-bore flugelhorn, a new orchestral C cornet, and a new Eb cornet designed for brass band performers.

The Getzen Eterna Proteus series of instruments was introduced in 2007, joining the popular Eterna line. At the same time, Getzen partnered with Griego Mouthpieces and Blackburn Trumpets to include top-of-the-line instrument accessories in the Getzen catalog. A custom Griego mouthpiece now ships with every Getzen Custom Series trombone and a set of Blackburn leadpipes with every Getzen 940 Eterna piccolo trumpet.

Bringing the Getzen family story full-circle, in 2008 Tom Getzen's sons Brett and Adam joined the business as the fourth generation of Getzens striving to ensure continued success for generations of musicians to come.

Woodwind & Brasswind is proud to offer high-quality Getzen products for musicians from professional to beginner. We can even ship your Getzen musical instruments internationally. And Getzen trombones, trumpets, and cornets are backed by The Woodwind & Brasswind's 110% Price Guarantee, assuring that you won't find quality Getzen products for musicians at a lower price anywhere else.