| Old horns
Hi everyone,
This seems like a terrific board. I am a ex-trumpet player that's getting back into playing recreationally. When I was in the 5th grade (25 years ago) a gift from my parents was a Bach Stradivarius, which was my primary instrument for my entire playing career through college and beyond. Marching band, solos, orchestra, jazz, you name it, I played on it, though marching with it was probably the worst thing I could have done with it.
Well, needless to say, I haven't played at all in the last dozen or so years and my horn isn't in the greatest shape. When I pulled it out of the case recently, the slides and the valves were all frozen. I've since taken it to my neighborhood music shop and they got it back into working order, though they told me it has a case of red-rot on the main tube that's irreparable.
Since I got it back, I've been practicing again, (it's been fun!) though the valves don't work as well as I would like. They seem to stick when depressed for longer than a couple seconds which is frustrating.
Since it's been so long since I've really taken care of a trumpet, (not that I was ever the best care giver anyway) can I assume that the instrument is just simply old and will never be the same, or is it possible for instruments to last a long time? Does my instrument just need time to get back in shape (like me)? Should I consider a new horn? The salesman thought maybe I should think about it, but I'm not sure I can justify spending a lot for a new horn right now for the amount of playing I forsee myself doing.
Any advice/insight much appreciated!
Chuck |