TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - NEED HELP

tom turner · 05-11-2006, 02:25 PM

Hi,

All the names mentioned above are good ones. Robb Stewart, in California and Rich Ita near Atlanta are also very good . . . and both are experts in vintage horn restoration.

That being said here's another suggestion that will have much better results . . . and be cheaper.

I'd recommend using your King for the purpose you bought it for . . . and find a pristine Silversonic on eBay. There are a LOT of nice ones that show up on a continual basis that do not need much done to them.

A pristine vintage specimen would simply need new valve felts, spit valve corks, a couple of minor dents removed and a possible chem-clean (about $100).

However, the one you own is quite beat up . . . usually indicative of a very, very rough life in the hands of several young students who passed it, one to the other. It would need the expense I listed above PLUS . . .

Probable Valve rebuild: $200-$350
Refinishing the lacquer $350+
Major dent removals $75+
Possible eplacement of several parts $???

Also, when buffing out the imperfections on the beater during refinishing, lots of engraving detail will probably be lost. Gone will be the crisp King engravings and they'll no longer be crisp. Instead, they will be faint and look "melted."

Most collectors want pristine horns with crisp engravings and an original, like new finish. There ARE horns out there that will fit that bill.

A pristine specimen may cost you $350-$500 . . . possibly more . . . but this is FAR LESS than trying to repair that beater!

In the long and short run, you'll save lots of money . . . and have a much better horn, if you consider following my suggestions. Restoring a beat up horn vs. finding a pristine one is a lot like restoring a beat up junkyard car vs. finding a low miles car that is/was always garaged and only owned by a careful adult.

Also, like a well maintained, low miles vintage car . . . the pristine horn will "drive" like a new one . . . and the beater will probably never come up to that level of fine playability, no matter how much money you throw at it.

Food for thought . . . from someone who had to learn it the hard way!

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

PS: Here's a pristine Silvertone, from the www.vintagecornets.com website, a website I highly recommend for you to check out:

05-11-2006, 02:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
tom turner Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 788	Hi, All the names mentioned above are good ones. Robb Stewart, in California and Rich Ita near Atlanta are also very good . . . and both are experts in vintage horn restoration. That being said here's another suggestion that will have much better results . . . and be cheaper. I'd recommend using your King for the purpose you bought it for . . . and find a pristine Silversonic on eBay. There are a LOT of nice ones that show up on a continual basis that do not need much done to them. A pristine vintage specimen would simply need new valve felts, spit valve corks, a couple of minor dents removed and a possible chem-clean (about $100). However, the one you own is quite beat up . . . usually indicative of a very, very rough life in the hands of several young students who passed it, one to the other. It would need the expense I listed above PLUS . . . Probable Valve rebuild: $200-$350 Refinishing the lacquer $350+ Major dent removals $75+ Possible eplacement of several parts $??? Also, when buffing out the imperfections on the beater during refinishing, lots of engraving detail will probably be lost. Gone will be the crisp King engravings and they'll no longer be crisp. Instead, they will be faint and look "melted." Most collectors want pristine horns with crisp engravings and an original, like new finish. There ARE horns out there that will fit that bill. A pristine specimen may cost you $350-$500 . . . possibly more . . . but this is FAR LESS than trying to repair that beater! In the long and short run, you'll save lots of money . . . and have a much better horn, if you consider following my suggestions. Restoring a beat up horn vs. finding a pristine one is a lot like restoring a beat up junkyard car vs. finding a low miles car that is/was always garaged and only owned by a careful adult. Also, like a well maintained, low miles vintage car . . . the pristine horn will "drive" like a new one . . . and the beater will probably never come up to that level of fine playability, no matter how much money you throw at it. Food for thought . . . from someone who had to learn it the hard way! Sincerely, Tom Turner PS: Here's a pristine Silvertone, from the www.vintagecornets.com website, a website I highly recommend for you to check out: