Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet

LPrice · 04-20-2009, 11:40 AM

Greetings All. I have a restoration inquiry - I have a Conn WoderTrumpet - serial number (according to what I have researched) dates the instrument to around 1917. I'm thinking of having it restored - so I'd like some input as to where to send the horn. It has 2 sets of slides - the main slides have a rotary valve to change keys (Bb/A & Bb/C I think)- all the slides move - the rotary valves do not. It will need at least one spot soldered on one of the main slides near the water key. The valves work (given it's age pretty well) - compression is less than desirable. I'm going to try to pick up some 3M Tarnishield to see how well it polishes up. There are a few very small dents/dings, nothing major. So recommendations as to where I should send this horn? Thank you all for your time.

Darthsunshine · 04-21-2009, 03:03 AM

Oberloh Wind & Brass, Seattle, WA... IF they can take it on.

longhorn747 · 04-21-2009, 03:50 AM

I called Oberloh Wind & Brass today and asked them about an overhaul on a strad and they told me they are booked solid for at least 6 months. He said to try calling back around fall.

I just called to check on the price.

Luckily I have a friend who is a repairman. Hes good, LPrice I live in southern, CA also. You should give him a try.

Darthsunshine · 04-21-2009, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn747

I called Oberloh Wind & Brass today and asked them about an overhaul on a strad and they told me they are booked solid for at least 6 months. He said to try calling back around fall. I just called to check on the price. Luckily I have a friend who is a repairman. Hes good, LPrice I live in southern, CA also. You should give him a try.

Thanks, but no thanks. I only offered the idea. It's actually better for me if folks go elsewhere. I don't mind getting in line to have my horns worked on there because everything is done right the first time around. Ultimately, it saves time and money... IMHO.

longhorn747 · 04-21-2009, 04:03 AM

Darth, my response was NOT intended for you.

LPrice · 04-21-2009, 11:07 AM

I'm open to suggestions and would be interested in feedback of places where restoration work has been done. I am very close to the Kanstul shop - but since their main biz is new horn manufacturing I was curious to get feedback from other shops that specialize in restoration.

Who did you have in mind longhorn in the SoCal area?

Darthsunshine · 04-21-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn747

Darth, my response was NOT intended for you.

My mistake. Must've been a disturbance in the Force

Dale Proctor · 04-21-2009, 12:14 PM

Just my unsolicited opinion, but unless you have a sentimental attachment to it (or more money than you know what to do with), you're throwing money down a rathole with a restoration. It will not be worth what you spend on it, especially if you include a valve job - that's $300 or more by itself. After all is said and done, you'll still have an old, average-playing horn at best. Hopefully it's in low pitch - if it's in high pitch, I surely wouldn't try to return it to playing condition.

Ursa · 04-21-2009, 02:47 PM

I've owned and played some very old horns; one has to be smart about fixing them up or it can get really costly.

Assuming the horn has been snaked out, is not leaking air, and has intact corks and felts on the valves, the first thing I would do is try some heavier oil on the valves--I use Arkansas Perfect Honing Oil, which is an anti-corrosion oil intended for knife sharpening; it works great on leaky old piston valves. The added viscosity will help seal up the worn valves, and while the valves may seem a little slow, you'll get an idea of what the horn would play like with better compression. If you like the results, you could then intelligently decide whether to have the valves rebuilt, or you could simply use the heavier oil and leave the valves as-is, perhaps stretching the springs a bit to speed up the action if needed. I've done this with some 100-year-old horns that really weren't worth a valve rebuild and have had very satisfactory results.

After that, I would minimally repair the horn--have new corks and felts installed, get the resoldering done, have the rotary valves serviced, and have a chemical cleaning done. This could be done locally by any competent technician, and should cost well under $100.

Cheers, Ursa

longhorn747 · 04-21-2009, 09:32 PM

LPrice email me at art.jedimaster@hotmail.com

04-20-2009, 11:40 AM	#1
LPrice New Friend Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: southern CA Posts: 3	Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet Greetings All. I have a restoration inquiry - I have a Conn WoderTrumpet - serial number (according to what I have researched) dates the instrument to around 1917. I'm thinking of having it restored - so I'd like some input as to where to send the horn. It has 2 sets of slides - the main slides have a rotary valve to change keys (Bb/A & Bb/C I think)- all the slides move - the rotary valves do not. It will need at least one spot soldered on one of the main slides near the water key. The valves work (given it's age pretty well) - compression is less than desirable. I'm going to try to pick up some 3M Tarnishield to see how well it polishes up. There are a few very small dents/dings, nothing major. So recommendations as to where I should send this horn? Thank you all for your time.

04-21-2009, 03:03 AM	#2
Darthsunshine Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 551	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet Oberloh Wind & Brass, Seattle, WA... IF they can take it on. __________________ Glen Ferguson 1977 LA Benge 3C 1976 LA Benge 3X+ 1972 LA Benge 5x 1963 Burbank Benge Eb/D 1959 Olds Amb. cornet w/ Getzen shep crook bell

04-21-2009, 03:50 AM	#3
longhorn747 Pianissimo User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 67	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet I called Oberloh Wind & Brass today and asked them about an overhaul on a strad and they told me they are booked solid for at least 6 months. He said to try calling back around fall. I just called to check on the price. Luckily I have a friend who is a repairman. Hes good, LPrice I live in southern, CA also. You should give him a try.

04-21-2009, 04:03 AM	#5
longhorn747 Pianissimo User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 67	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet Darth, my response was NOT intended for you.

04-21-2009, 11:07 AM	#6
LPrice New Friend Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: southern CA Posts: 3	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet I'm open to suggestions and would be interested in feedback of places where restoration work has been done. I am very close to the Kanstul shop - but since their main biz is new horn manufacturing I was curious to get feedback from other shops that specialize in restoration. Who did you have in mind longhorn in the SoCal area?

04-21-2009, 12:14 PM	#8
Dale Proctor Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 1,125	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet Just my unsolicited opinion, but unless you have a sentimental attachment to it (or more money than you know what to do with), you're throwing money down a rathole with a restoration. It will not be worth what you spend on it, especially if you include a valve job - that's $300 or more by itself. After all is said and done, you'll still have an old, average-playing horn at best. Hopefully it's in low pitch - if it's in high pitch, I surely wouldn't try to return it to playing condition. __________________ Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org "Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

04-21-2009, 02:47 PM	#9
Ursa Pianissimo User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 184	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet I've owned and played some very old horns; one has to be smart about fixing them up or it can get really costly. Assuming the horn has been snaked out, is not leaking air, and has intact corks and felts on the valves, the first thing I would do is try some heavier oil on the valves--I use Arkansas Perfect Honing Oil, which is an anti-corrosion oil intended for knife sharpening; it works great on leaky old piston valves. The added viscosity will help seal up the worn valves, and while the valves may seem a little slow, you'll get an idea of what the horn would play like with better compression. If you like the results, you could then intelligently decide whether to have the valves rebuilt, or you could simply use the heavier oil and leave the valves as-is, perhaps stretching the springs a bit to speed up the action if needed. I've done this with some 100-year-old horns that really weren't worth a valve rebuild and have had very satisfactory results. After that, I would minimally repair the horn--have new corks and felts installed, get the resoldering done, have the rotary valves serviced, and have a chemical cleaning done. This could be done locally by any competent technician, and should cost well under $100. Cheers, Ursa __________________ Ursa's collection of fine brasswinds... Besson BE709 Trumpet Conn 20B Trumpet - small bore E. K. Blessing XL-CR Short Cornet Frank Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet, Copper/Nickel bell Frank Holton Super Collegiate Cornet, Rose Brass/Nickel bell Frank Holton Collegiate Cornet Yamaha YEP-321S Euphonium Frank Holton 6/4 EEb Tuba Last edited by Ursa; 04-21-2009 at 02:48 PM. Reason: typo

04-21-2009, 09:32 PM	#10
longhorn747 Pianissimo User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 67	Re: Restoration of a Conn Wonder-Trumpet LPrice email me at art.jedimaster@hotmail.com

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