Greg Adams (Tower of Power) - Pre-Owned Bach Stradivarius 184L Shepherd’s Crook Cornet – Early 1980s

A rare opportunity to acquire a virtually untouched Bach Stradivarius Model 184L Shepherd’s Crook Cornet with direct provenance from Greg Adams, founding member of Tower of Power and one of the most influential horn section leaders of the past half-century.

Greg personally selected this instrument at the Bach factory in Elkhart, Indiana, in the early 1980s, choosing it from among several examples. At the time of delivery, the factory engraved his name on the bell, marking it as his personal horn. Despite Adams’ storied career on stage and in the studio, this cornet never left its case to join him—it has never been played publicly or on a recording session. In fact, it has only been taken out a handful of times in over 30 years, leaving it in essentially brand-new, time-capsule condition.

The cornet held special meaning for Greg: both of his parents played in the Salvation Army, and his own musical journey began on cornet. While the instrument never found its way into his Tower of Power performances, he maintained a deep personal connection to it—making this horn not just an untouched vintage Bach, but a piece of Adams’ own story.

The 184L features Bach’s classic short-model shepherd’s crook bell design and a large-bore (.462") configuration, highly regarded for its rich, lyrical tone. Finished in silver plate, the horn remains pristine and comes complete with its original Bach case.

For collectors, this is a chance to own not only a rare vintage Bach Stradivarius cornet but also one with artist provenance, family history, and nearly unparalleled preservation. Opportunities like this seldom surface—this horn represents both history and rarity in a single instrument.