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Robert Rowe · 01-18-2005, 08:12 PM

I asked my wife, who is a graduate of Red Wing Technical College (MN) Band Instrument Repair ...
She informs that small &/or minor dents can usually be removed with no resulting "tell-tales". Severe creases and such -- usually to the bell flair -- can be removed and the affected area can actually "feel" (a term that she uses often, as the techs are trained to use their sense of touch a great deal) as though there had been a total removal of damage, but, invariably, a "scar" will remain. This is because the metal has experienced a "molecular re-arrangement" or "trauma", and the brass-alloy has a "memory"... hence, the "wavy lines" and such evidence as we see. The metal has been "stretched" and is trying to return to it's earlier configuration. She related stories about doing repairs on damaged horns for their tests and exams -- everything corrected and "play-tested" to satisfaction, only to find the horn "out-of-whack" the next day, or a few days later. The student-techs quickly learned to turn in their repair work immediately to the instructor for examination, rather than wait another day-or-so.
I have accompanied her to various NAPBIRT clinics and tech-seminars (at cost to me as a "guest"), to learn more about brass-repair. The "hot" thing now is Magnetic Dent Removal Balls, which is really cool. I even tried my hand at it at one of the sessions, and was surprised to have done a pretty fair job; although, it is obvious it would take a lot of practice to be really good. The thing about this M-D-R system, though, is it is dangerous... I saw some experienced techs get their fingers smashed. The magnets are super-powerful. No body-pierced metal is permissable (nor jewelry), as you might imagine. (Tatoos are not a problem, other than the visual pollution).
I now do some of my own repair work, but one must invest in many specialty tools -- and they are all expensive.
Repair techs are hard-working people. Look for one that is "NAPBIRT"-certified. It's like a "board-certified" surgeon in the medical profession.
The NAPBIRT certification will be proudly displayed at the shop.

Hope this helps.

Robert Rowe

P.S. - "Hello, Bob"! I'm still digging my Super 400's!

01-18-2005, 08:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Robert Rowe Piano User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 498	I asked my wife, who is a graduate of Red Wing Technical College (MN) Band Instrument Repair ... She informs that small &/or minor dents can usually be removed with no resulting "tell-tales". Severe creases and such -- usually to the bell flair -- can be removed and the affected area can actually "feel" (a term that she uses often, as the techs are trained to use their sense of touch a great deal) as though there had been a total removal of damage, but, invariably, a "scar" will remain. This is because the metal has experienced a "molecular re-arrangement" or "trauma", and the brass-alloy has a "memory"... hence, the "wavy lines" and such evidence as we see. The metal has been "stretched" and is trying to return to it's earlier configuration. She related stories about doing repairs on damaged horns for their tests and exams -- everything corrected and "play-tested" to satisfaction, only to find the horn "out-of-whack" the next day, or a few days later. The student-techs quickly learned to turn in their repair work immediately to the instructor for examination, rather than wait another day-or-so. I have accompanied her to various NAPBIRT clinics and tech-seminars (at cost to me as a "guest"), to learn more about brass-repair. The "hot" thing now is Magnetic Dent Removal Balls, which is really cool. I even tried my hand at it at one of the sessions, and was surprised to have done a pretty fair job; although, it is obvious it would take a lot of practice to be really good. The thing about this M-D-R system, though, is it is dangerous... I saw some experienced techs get their fingers smashed. The magnets are super-powerful. No body-pierced metal is permissable (nor jewelry), as you might imagine. (Tatoos are not a problem, other than the visual pollution). I now do some of my own repair work, but one must invest in many specialty tools -- and they are all expensive. Repair techs are hard-working people. Look for one that is "NAPBIRT"-certified. It's like a "board-certified" surgeon in the medical profession. The NAPBIRT certification will be proudly displayed at the shop. Hope this helps. Robert Rowe P.S. - "Hello, Bob"! I'm still digging my Super 400's!