Hey guys, I've had the same horn for a few years now, and I don't believe that I'm going to change. So, I've decided that after marching season ends this year, I'm going to get it professionally UV-cleaned, and dent removed. But then, once I've done that, I'm gonna want to have a little fun with it. A friend of mine has his Tenor Sax lacquered with a color / brand / type of lacquer called "Black Ice" and it looks extremely cool. I'm not much of a fan of normalcy, and think getting my instrument coated in the God-of-a-color would be wicked cool. Please, do not tell me it'd look tacky, or anything about your personal preference of color, I do not care one bit. If you wish to do so, send me a PM instead of spamming up my thread. :):)


So, my first question to you is: How much do you think getting such a lacquer on a Getzen silver-finish trumpet could potentially cost me? Do any of you own a trumpet that they've re-lacquered? I would like an estimate, or at least your best guess to how much it would cost to get it professionally done. Also, if you know of any one store in particular that is a chain that does this service, I would love to hear about it. I'm really pushing for it to be professionally done, since I wouldn't trust myself one bit to do it right, or make it look gorgeous.


Secondly, if / when I do this, I'm going to want to put some engraving on it. I feel that this is a necessary thing to make the horn my own, an original one-of-a-kind item, and not only would it bring it an individualistic touch, it would also put in a feeling of finality for me. So, I've already basically decided on an "epic quote" and placed my finger on a version of Daft Punk's single: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. However I've adapted the phrase to make it sound more classy - I think so at least - by translating it into Latin! (The idea came from the Olympic's motto which is also a string of adjectives in Latin) So unless you can find a better adage than this, I'm keeping it. ("Congelo, Melior, Ocius, Validus" is the phrase, of course it'd be in italics, and in a fancy handwritten manner; [ie: cursive or the like])


Finally, since my trumpet will be a glossy / smoky black, the adage will either be in Silver or Gold. Not only will I need to pick between the two (I would like your opinion on this) but I'd also need to find the placement for where to put it. I was thinking of one of two places: The inside bottom of the bell -or- the classic model placement on the beginning of the outside of the bell towards the center of the trumpet.


What is your opinion on all these matters?


Thanks,
- Nick

Wow Nick,

Black gloss and Gold sounds very classy - I like the way you think.

(Just a thought - since you have chosen Latin for your inscription - is there a recognised set of colours that may have been used by the Romans?)

Getting the silver off is your biggest hurdle. I think your gonna have a problem there. It's not that easy to remove silver like it is lacquer.

Originally Posted by St.Louis Blues

Getting the silver off is your biggest hurdle. I think your gonna have a problem there. It's not that easy to remove silver like it is lacquer.

That was the first thing I thought of as well.

Anyway, Nick, your horn finish concept sounds really cool, imo. Just might have to trade in that axe for one that'll be more accepting of the project.

tedh1951, I don't care if there's a recognized set of colors. Silver and Gold are the two colors that are most prominent in engraving, and the only two I'd ever consider. They're equally as good in my opinion, Gold having more weight since it might show up better in the black than Silver. Not really sure though.

I'm positive I have the second option on my trumpet: Getzen : Finish Options

I also have one of these two Getzen's: http://www.getzen.com/trumpet/700/ Not really sure which one, don't really care too much either haha.

Originally Posted by St.Louis Blues

Getting the silver off is your biggest hurdle. I think your gonna have a problem there. It's not that easy to remove silver like it is lacquer.

Any decent shop can do this. It just requires a little more buffing than usual.
Not a big deal at all.

Originally Posted by gzent

Any decent shop can do this. It just requires a little more buffing than usual.
Not a big deal at all.

Yeah but what does "a little more buffing do" ? Anyone? Bueller?

Yes there are shops that can do it but I would still be cautious.

Originally Posted by Kevykev

Yeah but what does "a little more buffing do" ? Anyone? Bueller?

Yes there are shops that can do it but I would still be cautious.

OK, be sure to use a shop that does a lot of restorations to be safe.

Oberlah, Melk, Kanstul, etc....

If looks are you primary concern it might be cheaper for you to get a black lacquer trumpet and just have it engraved. There are some imports that can be aquired fairly cheaply:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Cecilio-Lacquer-Trumpet-Carrying-Accessories/dp/B000EPRBE4]Amazon.com: Cecilio Black Lacquer B Flat Trumpet with Hard Shell Carrying Case: Electronics[/ame]

The point is to keep my set. I don't want to have to get used to a new horn. I would prefer to keep my own horn. I'm sorry about not making that clear, and let's not bring it up again. :)

I'm keeping my horn, I just want to get it lacquered black, and engraved.