Getzen Super Deluxe

John Bailey · 08-21-2008, 09:32 PM

Well, after starting as a beginner earlier this year with a borrowed Martin Imperial, I finally bought my own trumpet. It's a Getzen Super Deluxe and it plays very nicely. I received it Monday and played in a concert Tuesday. As you know, it's fairly unique looking with it's copper accents and it was a hit with the community band members. I'd give you my playing impressions, but, I'm so new to this I don't think I know enough to give you any educated details. I was thrilled with my playing, I nailed the high B-flats with no problems and it seemed to be easily played in tune.

I've got a couple of questions. I cleaned it up and found that there's not any finish left on it. If it was lacquered (don't know enough to know if this horn was or not) there's none left. It appears to be raw brass and copper. I used Brasso on it (hope that's OK, please say if not) and was wondering if there is anything I can, or should, do to shine it up or protect it more.

Second, while the valves never stick, the first valve has a slight resistance when it's about 2/3's depressed. I cleaned it as best I could, but I think there may be a small amount of gunk in the valve casing that makes it do that. It seems to be worse after the horn warms up.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

John

tedh1951 · 08-22-2008, 12:23 AM

John,

Have your local Tech run his Mk1 eyeball over your horn. Get him to check out the valve casing bore for that sticky valve - it may need to be lightly honed. You may have cleaned all the surface protective finish of with the Brasso (NOT my weapon of choice BTW). Talk to your Tech about your options with respect to re-finishing, re-lacquer, silver or gold plate, or just keep it nude. If you decide to leave it, then there are essentially two further choices; let it age and get a used brass patina to the metal (rather nice - and very a la mode), or keep it clean and polished with something a little less harsh than Brasso. Maintaining the polished finish is fairly easy if you practice in cotton gloves and wash and buff the trumpet regularly. There will be lots of other advice coming - standby. Remember we are all individuals (even though MJ says he's not) and we all have different preferences and prejudices. Good luck and have fun above all else.

John Bailey · 08-22-2008, 05:02 AM

Thanks ted,

I live out in the wilds of Northern Michigan and we're 60 miles away from the nearest "tech." We just finished our last concert of the summer and I'll have a month or so before we start rehearsal for the winter. I'll have a little time to send the horn somewhere if needed. I'll look for a less abrasive polish.

John

MFfan · 08-22-2008, 08:11 AM

Welcome to the forum and playing again. All the advice you have received is good. Horn finishes are a regular topic of conversation here with widely divergent opinions. Due to bad lacquer on my Besson, Czech and Getzen horns, I did my best TO remove the remaining lacquer. I have grown to like the polished raw brass look which is different on each horn. For maintenance polishing I used Wright's Brass Polish and lately, the best so far, MAAS metal polish, which does a great job on most any metal and has a very long lasting shine which keeps the tarnish at bay for a long time. Great results with the antique silver spoons and baby cups, also.

I am a Michigander, though southern, but am acquainted with the wilds of Northern Michigan, I assume you to be not a Yooper? What band to you play in up there? Have fun!

oldlou · 08-22-2008, 12:26 PM

From another community concert bander in Michigan, Zeeland and Grand Haven bands. In my eclectic 'accumilation' I also have a Super Deluxe trumpet an cornet. My experience with them, I have had four others, is that the bells are VERY subject to extensive damage from the very slightest bump. BE CAREFUL with that fine old horn. Because of the thinness of the bells on the Super Deluxe cornets and trumpets and their lack of slide adjustment rings or saddles they tend to be a bit bright and a few cents sharp on many of the above the staff notes, requiring a lipping down. The valve problem 'might be' caused by a whole laundry list of possibilities. To start with give the old girl a THOROUGH bath, running a snake through all of the tubing and piston ports and cleaning the piston bore casings with a soft nylon bristle brush. A complete drying and relube follows. If the valve is still sluggish take the trip to that distant tech.

OLDLOU>>

John Bailey · 08-22-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFfan

Welcome to the forum and playing again. All the advice you have received is good. Horn finishes are a regular topic of conversation here with widely divergent opinions. Due to bad lacquer on my Besson, Czech and Getzen horns, I did my best TO remove the remaining lacquer. I have grown to like the polished raw brass look which is different on each horn. For maintenance polishing I used Wright's Brass Polish and lately, the best so far, MAAS metal polish, which does a great job on most any metal and has a very long lasting shine which keeps the tarnish at bay for a long time. Great results with the antique silver spoons and baby cups, also.

I am a Michigander, though southern, but am acquainted with the wilds of Northern Michigan, I assume you to be not a Yooper? What band to you play in up there? Have fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldlou

From another community concert bander in Michigan, Zeeland and Grand Haven bands. In my eclectic 'accumilation' I also have a Super Deluxe trumpet an cornet. My experience with them, I have had four others, is that the bells are VERY subject to extensive damage from the very slightest bump. BE CAREFUL with that fine old horn. Because of the thinness of the bells on the Super Deluxe cornets and trumpets and their lack of slide adjustment rings or saddles they tend to be a bit bright and a few cents sharp on many of the above the staff notes, requiring a lipping down. The valve problem 'might be' caused by a whole laundry list of possibilities. To start with give the old girl a THOROUGH bath, running a snake through all of the tubing and piston ports and cleaning the piston bore casings with a soft nylon bristle brush. A complete drying and relube follows. If the valve is still sluggish take the trip to that distant tech.

OLDLOU>>

Thanks for the info guys. I live in East Jordan and play in the community band on Tuesday nights on the waterfront in Charlevoix - that's where I work. We often have visiting musicians so if you're in the area next summer, bring your horn and let me know when you're coming. I'm a school administrator, but in a previous life, many moons ago, I taught choir and have a music degree with an emphasis in Theory and Composition. One thing I've never done is learn to play an instrument (other than techniques class in college some 40 yrs. ago). So, this year I decided I was going to learn the trumpet. It's been great, and now that I've got my own horn I'm charging away on the old Arban's book and a Duke Elington jazz book.

The bell on my Super Deluxe has obviously been repaired so you're right about the thinness of the bell. Other than that it's in pretty good shape.

A question - where I would I find Wright's Brass Polish or MAAS. I'm originally from South Haven, so I know Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids pretty well. I'm down there every now and again so if I can't find any up here, I can stop somewhere and get some.

John

MFfan · 08-22-2008, 06:50 PM

Hi John, you sound like you have a good situation up there and are enthusiastic about playing. I got Wrights' Brass polish at Meijer's and MAAS is carried by Walgreen's and Wal-mart , for two. Hard to afford to travel much these days but appreciate the offer. I did travel up to Grand Haven and sit along with Lou for a practice with that band.
Check out the KCB web site if you want. We a have many clips of some of our numbers, etc. My wife and I play in and I am starting my 38th yr in a couple of weeks. We had a joint concert down here with the West Michigan Winds which was a lot of fun.

Indian · 08-22-2008, 07:11 PM

Welcome and congrats on the new, vintage horn. All the above info is right on the money. I have several raw brass horns a couple 1940s King Libertys that were ordered in raw brass. I use Mothers Billet Polish. It is very mild and is great for all raw finishes except modern gold plate. After playing I wipe the horns down with a silicon impregnated soft cloth. I get them from Walmart in the sporting goods section. They are really polishing cloths for guns. The silicon removes oils and gives a very thin film of protection. My horns remain shiny for months without a polishing and even themn it is usually just a touch up. I lay my horns on a soft, dry cotton cloth when in the case. As soft as the case lining is it will scratch the finish of a raw brass horn with age.

MFfan · 08-22-2008, 07:35 PM

Good tips, Indian. I had forgotten about the silicone cloth as a preservative measure that Lou first told me about.

John Bailey · 08-23-2008, 07:51 AM

Thanks guys,

I'll be in Petoskey sometime this weekend. They have a Wall-Mart and a Walgreen's, so I'll pick up some polish and silicon cloth.

John

08-21-2008, 09:32 PM	#1
John Bailey New Friend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MI Posts: 11	Getzen Super Deluxe Well, after starting as a beginner earlier this year with a borrowed Martin Imperial, I finally bought my own trumpet. It's a Getzen Super Deluxe and it plays very nicely. I received it Monday and played in a concert Tuesday. As you know, it's fairly unique looking with it's copper accents and it was a hit with the community band members. I'd give you my playing impressions, but, I'm so new to this I don't think I know enough to give you any educated details. I was thrilled with my playing, I nailed the high B-flats with no problems and it seemed to be easily played in tune. I've got a couple of questions. I cleaned it up and found that there's not any finish left on it. If it was lacquered (don't know enough to know if this horn was or not) there's none left. It appears to be raw brass and copper. I used Brasso on it (hope that's OK, please say if not) and was wondering if there is anything I can, or should, do to shine it up or protect it more. Second, while the valves never stick, the first valve has a slight resistance when it's about 2/3's depressed. I cleaned it as best I could, but I think there may be a small amount of gunk in the valve casing that makes it do that. It seems to be worse after the horn warms up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. John

08-22-2008, 12:23 AM	#2
tedh1951 Forte User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,420	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe John, Have your local Tech run his Mk1 eyeball over your horn. Get him to check out the valve casing bore for that sticky valve - it may need to be lightly honed. You may have cleaned all the surface protective finish of with the Brasso (NOT my weapon of choice BTW). Talk to your Tech about your options with respect to re-finishing, re-lacquer, silver or gold plate, or just keep it nude. If you decide to leave it, then there are essentially two further choices; let it age and get a used brass patina to the metal (rather nice - and very a la mode), or keep it clean and polished with something a little less harsh than Brasso. Maintaining the polished finish is fairly easy if you practice in cotton gloves and wash and buff the trumpet regularly. There will be lots of other advice coming - standby. Remember we are all individuals (even though MJ says he's not) and we all have different preferences and prejudices. Good luck and have fun above all else. __________________ . Ted

08-22-2008, 05:02 AM	#3
John Bailey New Friend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MI Posts: 11	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe Thanks ted, I live out in the wilds of Northern Michigan and we're 60 miles away from the nearest "tech." We just finished our last concert of the summer and I'll have a month or so before we start rehearsal for the winter. I'll have a little time to send the horn somewhere if needed. I'll look for a less abrasive polish. John

08-22-2008, 08:11 AM	#4
MFfan Forte User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 1,690	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe Welcome to the forum and playing again. All the advice you have received is good. Horn finishes are a regular topic of conversation here with widely divergent opinions. Due to bad lacquer on my Besson, Czech and Getzen horns, I did my best TO remove the remaining lacquer. I have grown to like the polished raw brass look which is different on each horn. For maintenance polishing I used Wright's Brass Polish and lately, the best so far, MAAS metal polish, which does a great job on most any metal and has a very long lasting shine which keeps the tarnish at bay for a long time. Great results with the antique silver spoons and baby cups, also. I am a Michigander, though southern, but am acquainted with the wilds of Northern Michigan, I assume you to be not a Yooper? What band to you play in up there? Have fun! __________________ Dave Rafferty Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?) Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan) Besson 609 Trumpet 1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet 1948 Besson cornet 1946 King Master Cornet www.kalamazooconcertband.org

08-22-2008, 12:26 PM	#5
oldlou Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi. Posts: 1,242	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe From another community concert bander in Michigan, Zeeland and Grand Haven bands. In my eclectic 'accumilation' I also have a Super Deluxe trumpet an cornet. My experience with them, I have had four others, is that the bells are VERY subject to extensive damage from the very slightest bump. BE CAREFUL with that fine old horn. Because of the thinness of the bells on the Super Deluxe cornets and trumpets and their lack of slide adjustment rings or saddles they tend to be a bit bright and a few cents sharp on many of the above the staff notes, requiring a lipping down. The valve problem 'might be' caused by a whole laundry list of possibilities. To start with give the old girl a THOROUGH bath, running a snake through all of the tubing and piston ports and cleaning the piston bore casings with a soft nylon bristle brush. A complete drying and relube follows. If the valve is still sluggish take the trip to that distant tech. OLDLOU>> __________________ Couturier trumpet York Master Model trumpet York Elite trumpet York Airflow cornet King super 20 Master Model cornet King Liberty trumpet Reynolds Professional cornet Bohm & Meinl professional trumpet Besson 10-10 trumpet with Holton M.F. bell Olds Special cornet Los Angeles B&H Sovereign cornet G.R.Band Instr. cornet Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet and cornet Getzen Deluxe trumpet and cornet Many others no room to list

08-22-2008, 06:50 PM	#7
MFfan Forte User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 1,690	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe Hi John, you sound like you have a good situation up there and are enthusiastic about playing. I got Wrights' Brass polish at Meijer's and MAAS is carried by Walgreen's and Wal-mart , for two. Hard to afford to travel much these days but appreciate the offer. I did travel up to Grand Haven and sit along with Lou for a practice with that band. Check out the KCB web site if you want. We a have many clips of some of our numbers, etc. My wife and I play in and I am starting my 38th yr in a couple of weeks. We had a joint concert down here with the West Michigan Winds which was a lot of fun. __________________ Dave Rafferty Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?) Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan) Besson 609 Trumpet 1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet 1948 Besson cornet 1946 King Master Cornet www.kalamazooconcertband.org

08-22-2008, 07:11 PM	#8
Indian Pianissimo User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 242	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe Welcome and congrats on the new, vintage horn. All the above info is right on the money. I have several raw brass horns a couple 1940s King Libertys that were ordered in raw brass. I use Mothers Billet Polish. It is very mild and is great for all raw finishes except modern gold plate. After playing I wipe the horns down with a silicon impregnated soft cloth. I get them from Walmart in the sporting goods section. They are really polishing cloths for guns. The silicon removes oils and gives a very thin film of protection. My horns remain shiny for months without a polishing and even themn it is usually just a touch up. I lay my horns on a soft, dry cotton cloth when in the case. As soft as the case lining is it will scratch the finish of a raw brass horn with age. __________________ 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)

08-22-2008, 07:35 PM	#9
MFfan Forte User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 1,690	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe Good tips, Indian. I had forgotten about the silicone cloth as a preservative measure that Lou first told me about. __________________ Dave Rafferty Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?) Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan) Besson 609 Trumpet 1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet 1948 Besson cornet 1946 King Master Cornet www.kalamazooconcertband.org

08-23-2008, 07:51 AM	#10
John Bailey New Friend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MI Posts: 11	Re: Getzen Super Deluxe Thanks guys, I'll be in Petoskey sometime this weekend. They have a Wall-Mart and a Walgreen's, so I'll pick up some polish and silicon cloth. John __________________ John Bailey Getzen Super Deluxe Tone Balanced York Cornet

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