| Going raw
I recently bought a 1956 Olds Ambassador cornet for about $100. I didn't start out to buy a cornet, I was looking for a decent pocket trumpet to throw in my suitcase when I'm away on business. The suggestion was made that instead of spending $300-$600 on a PT I should find an old student cornet on ebay for short money.
Sounded good, so that's what I did.
The cornet I got has seen some miles but is in pretty good condition for a 52 year old horn. The only thing is it must have taken a bad hit once which bent the bell. The repair job was done badly, the bell itself is mostly straight but the front bracing that joins the bell, 3rd valve casing and lead pipe is VERY badly soldered in place.
I worked in a repair shop to put money in my pocket during college, I'm not an artist but I'm proficient enough to clean this up. I'd also like to take the finish down to raw brass and let it gradually go to that deep mellow brown patina.
So, here's my question: Should I leave it alone out of respect for it's age, or should I play with it? |