Indian

Thanks for posting the pictures. Looks to be in pretty good shape. The 2nd slide and bell dents are no problem and a tech could probably remove them and put some new corks, pads and felts in for about $100.00, just a guess. The lacquer seems OK, especially for the age. I would just polish it up a little with a non-abrasive polish and enjoy the old horn.

__________________
Rob,
King Liberty SilverTone (3)
King Liberty (7) Super 20 (2)
Conn Vocabell 40A - 40B - 80A (6) - 81A (1) - 38A Victor (2) - 22B - 16B, 12B Coprion bell
Getzen Tone Balanced Super Deluxe
Holton French LeBlanc (1) - Al Hirt 550
Olds Studio (1) - Special (1)

a3tripod

Ok! That's not terrible sounding at all! It's totally worth a hundred bucks or so to have things fixed. The yellow pages don't seem to yield much in a way of instrument repair. Know any good places in or around Iowa? <---a stretch, i know.

Indian

If your community has a concert band or orchestra call them up and they should be able to guide you to a good repairman. If not, call a local college or high school. They should also be able to guide you to a good repair tech. I always try to talk directly to the repair tech when I drop off a vintage horn. This way you can tell and show him exactly what you want done. Ask to see some repaired examples. This also gives you an idea if you want to leave your horn with him or not. Do not hesitate to walk out if he can not answer your questions or things just do not seem right.

__________________
Rob,
King Liberty SilverTone (3)
King Liberty (7) Super 20 (2)
Conn Vocabell 40A - 40B - 80A (6) - 81A (1) - 38A Victor (2) - 22B - 16B, 12B Coprion bell
Getzen Tone Balanced Super Deluxe
Holton French LeBlanc (1) - Al Hirt 550
Olds Studio (1) - Special (1)

veery715

Looks pretty good! I would definitely find someone to clean it up, but leave the lacquer alone - that dark bell is pretty.

Veery

a3tripod

Thanks again all for the feedback and advice. I've contacted the Des Moines Orchestra's youth academy coordinator to get a referral for repairs. I'm nervous to leave it with anyone...so I will certainly take extra care in my decision to move forward with any work. Hopefully I'll be able to soon share some pictures of its revival.

Oh, I'm not going have the lacquer addressed on the bell..but can i safely have the rest of the trumpet lacquered? If not, I don't care..I mostly want the dings/dents removed.

I guess this is a question best presented to the tech.

ComeBackKid

It sounds like you have the technical issues addressed, so I will wade in on the other issue - having your kids play it. At ages 4 & 1 they are a bit young to seriously try playing so letting them blow through it won't hurt them or the horn (as long as you monitor). But, many of the great players have started around 5 and there are some videos of kids around that age that are posted here and on Youtube and there are quite a few posts discussing how to encourage and help young children start learning to play.

I have been facing the same issues with my grandchildren. I now have 4 of them started (ages 5 - 11). If you look at my list of instruments, all but 2 of which I have acquired in the past 6 months since I started my comeback, some were purchased specifically for my grandkids. For the younger ones I purchased Olds Ambassador cornets as they are easier to handle for little ones and they are virtually indestructible and great players (I started on one at age 10 and still have it). For the older ones, I bought Holton and Olds trumpets. Once kids get into school band, they want something shiny so they won't be laughed at. These old horns will polish up very well without too much effort (there are lots of posts here about that as well) or there are many virtually new student trumpets that are still shiny on ebay or craigslist. Just look around.

But, as Veery mentioned, the Coprion bell is relatively soft and just about any contact with another object is going to dent or bend it so it isn't particularly compatible with kids. Besides, as you get more and more into playing again, you will want it for yourself.

__________________
Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

veery715

Everything ComeBackKid writes is spot on, but the last sentence is spotless!

v

a3tripod

ComeBackKid

At this stage in their playing, its virtually a hands-off experience for them. My 1yr old loved to press the valves down to changes the notes. He also like to stare right into the bell (at which point i play softly).

My 4yr old is able to make a variety sounds on her own, though I help her hold it the whole time. Not only are her hands a bit small to hold it, but i don't trust her not to drop it either ;).

In anycase, it's amazing to me that kids start playing at such a young age! I don't think I played until i was about 10.

It's funny what you mentioned about kids wanting a shiny trumpet, so the other kids don't tease or make fun. fortunately, I was always one of the better players in school, so my somewhat shabby looking trumpet was usually overlooked by my ability to hold my own. Looking back, it makes sense that my band teacher would always give me odd looks when playing. Clearly he knew more about my trumpet and mouthpieces than I. Using a 37C Bellaire mp was clearly not normal in the 5th grade. Ha!

I'm greatly enjoying getting back into my trumpet playing, though it's a little disheartening that I struggle to keep good tones above an F. :(

Anyway, back on topic - I'll be sur eto keep everyone in the loop with regard to my Conn's revival. Hopefully I can find a skilled tech ithat I can trust in Iowa.

a3tripod

Just a quick update. I don't know if anyone here is in the Des Moines area, but I've been referred to Riemans Music for my repairs. One coworker suggested them as did the Des Moines Symphony Academy director. I'd say they're worth a look!

Bflatman

Hi,
Beautiful looking horn.

I agree with everything thats been said, with the addition that coprion horns can be spoilt slightly by restoration.
The problem is that when buffing and relaquering a coprion bell the color changes, it becomes a lighter pink color instead of the original rich golden red that yours appears to be. Once its changed and the lovely deep red color has gone it appears to be irreversible.

If your horn has to be restored then I would ask the restorer if he/she can avoid touching the bell during the restoration, even if that means leaving a few minor defects.
I much prefer the original deep color of a coprion bell, and it may hold its resale value better with an original looking bell.
regards
Brian

__________________
The only place that "Results" comes before "Work", is in the dictionary.

"I aint squealing till Ive seen my mouthpiece"

2001 Yamaha YCR2330II Cornet
1954 Conn 80A Cornet
1976 Boosey & Hawkes Regent Cornet
1916 Boosey & Co A/Bb Silbron Class A Trumpet
1930's Monarch A/Bb Trumpet
1950's Comet unknown European Trumpet

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