TheCanadianScreamer

I always wondered what the attraction of buying an old horn is. They're cool and all, but what makes you spend money on it.
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"If you want to impress your friends, slip 'dideoxyribonucleotide' into any conversation." - Da Tasteebros

40cal

Not being an vintage horn collector I can conjecture that for some it is much like collecting antiques. For others who are in the know (not me) they know what horns from the past are great and what are not.

A fabulous resource on the TM is Tom Turner. He and some of the others are a wealth of knowledge with the vintage instruments.

Tootsall

A great many vintage instruments were hand-built by master craftsmen who knew just how to place a brace "there", or how to hammer a bell just "thusly" to get the best response from it. True that the valves are likely worn out and require rebuilding. However those old instruments have both a value as something to "collect" (just because many people like to collect "things") as well as sometimes haveing rather unique and rarely duplicated sound and playing qualities. (Why bother playing baroque music on baroque instruments when you can pop down to ye moderne trumpet shoppe and purchase a mass-produced horn with far fewer hassles?)

The other reason for using old instruments is that some of them can still be acquired and fixed up for far less cost than purchasing a modern, hand-built horn and still have superior playing qualities. In today's marketplace the vast majority of instruments are built by companies who are interested in PROFIT... how can we extract the best return on our investment?.... rather than QUALITY.

In other words, "why bother purchasing and overhauling/restoring a Pontiac GTO when you can go out and buy a new rice rocket that'll actually out-perform it?"

"Just Because".

londonhusker

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gzent

For me the attraction was playing and then building the best possible trumpet I can for under $1000.

Here it is:

http://webpages.charter.net/gntzent/...zaTrumpets.htm
http://www.trumpetmaster.com/forums/...pic.php?t=8966


Greg

A.N.A. Mendez

Get your hands on a few of these, you will know.

blasticore

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NickD

Old horns can be really cool. Take a vintage Besson Meha Large Bore. If is in mint condition, what a wonderful axe! One of my favorite cornets is my old Conn Victor. I used it at work last night on a trad jazz gig in Evanston.

The possible problem, as I see it, is the history of the horn. Was it abused? Are the valves worn out and pitted from poor care? Are the slides free? Etc.

I love my Stage 1 California model, and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but one of those Mehas would be pretty cool in my collection. I'm on a short financial leash, right now, however!

Nick

oldlou

I guess, because of my advanced age I am reluctant to invest in any new high dollar trumpet/cornet. Another point is that I am 'somewhat' knowledgeable about the old ones. I have in my inventory a Conical Bore Couturier trumpet, A York Master Model trumpet, a German Bohm and Meinl trumpet, a Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet, and a few other top shelf trumpets. In cornets I have a Martin Committee Model, a Reynolds Professional, a Roth student model that can easily masquerade as a pro grade, a Conn built Wurlitzer Improved Symphony Model, ( short, shepherds crook ), and several others.


My favorite trumpet is My old York. This is the model used by The U.S.M.C. band for many years. The rose brass bell with 1" nickel silver kranz ring gives this old girl a fantastic tone and response. It also looks fantastic. The valves are just starting to 'seep' a bit. It is the only horn that I have had that I would spend the money to have Anderson totally rebuild the valves. It goes to them within the next month.


I have tried several top shelf horns in the last year, finding NONE that compare to my oldsters. Mine might not be as pristine in looks as a brand new horn, but, they are mine and I love them all.


OLDLOU>>

Robert Rowe

Hi, Lou --

(BTW -- I'm almost done moving; PTL!)

I share your passion for fine vintage horns, and my old York Trumpet is a wonderful "keeper"; I use it often.

It's a great pleasure to own and play horns that have a fine pedigree and legendary past.

Usually, they have common "play-wear"; and usually, they have been lovingly cared for.

I strongly advocate the "sensible" acquisition of fine, vintage horns. "Sensible" -- meaning buying them below market-value, whenever possible. There is almost always a strong return on the investment; however, it is not necessary to wait a long time to "flip" the instrument, should some other horn come along, which piques greater interest.

You can have a lot of fun for $500-to-$1000, and not get "burned"; provided you do your research here, on this, and other horn forums.

Contrary to some people's views (including one TM moderator), the Richard Dundas book is not a fine reference (the book is primarily a topical, historical "overview").

Why spend $3000 on a new "Super-Horn", that loses value in a manner similar to the "beating" you take the minute you drive a new car off the dealer's lot? (As a "side-note" of some importance, I was in the automobile business for many years; and I buy and drive nothing but used cars).

Just for instance, I recently acquired a 1940 Martin Handcraft Custom Committee trumpet, with a few minor "issues" (mostly cosmetic) that do not affect the playability or tone ... waaay under current market prices. What a great instrument! Chris Botti is onto something. I'm having a lot of fun with this horn; plays nicer than my "near-mint" 1946 large-bore Custom Committee (the "Holy Grail" of Committees).

"Buy those funky old horns, White Boy!"

Robt