jaydarling

I have a 12B coprion that belonged to my Dad and I want to get it refurbished and give it to back to him as a present. Any suggestions on what to do, or what to avoid?
Thanks,
Jay

rowuk

Make sure that the repairman has done similar projects and can show you references.
Refurbishing can mean a lot of different things from simple dent removal and polishing to a complete overhaul/relaquer/replate and replating the valves to make them "tight" again. Attention to detail costs money, but bringing your dad's instrument back to life could be something VERY SPECIAL!

I have seen overhauls where the engraving has been buffed away - that is not what I consider properly done! If the leadpipe has red rot, make sure that the replacement does not destroy the playing qualities of the horn - that means go back to the store after that step has been accomplished and try it out, if it is OK then they can finish the work, if not, adjustments need to be made.
Take a tuner with you. I had a leadpipe replaced and the horn would not tune above A=435. They ended up cutting down the leadpipe to get the original intonation back.

Richard Oliver

Jay, I sent a '46 Benge C to Charlie Melk and could not be happier with the results.



As to the specifics, I waited to Charlie to receive the horn, then he got back to me with some options.

connloyalist

Are you sure this 12B Coprion was made in 1944? Because any 1944 Conn instrument is exceedingly unlikely, and especially a Coprion (actually, trumpet wise anything other than a 22B). Reason is because between August 1942 and early 1946 Conn didn't produce musical instruments, but compasses for the Navy, among other things. The instruments that were made in that period were all destined for the military, and as far as I know the trumpets were exclusively 22B's. All more or less hand made from parts that were lying around. During the first half (roughly) of 1942 when Conn still was producing musical instruments, copper wasn't available anymore for non-military purposes, so Conn's Coprion models, including the 12A and 12B, were produced as 112A and 112B with heavy brass bells.

A 1944 instrument should have a serial number between 355500 and 355750.

Regards, Christine

jaydarling

No I am not sure that is the year it was made, only that it was that year that My Dad was gicven the horn. How would I go about finding out the provinance of this horn?
Can you help me with that?
Thanks for your input, this is getting MORE interesting.
Jay

protoplate

If You Need Replating Or Buffing And Polishing Done Let Me Know.i Own A Small Plating Shop In Chicago.

screamingmorris

The Conn Loyalist Web site at
The Conn Loyalist
has before and after pictures of restored Coprion bells.
That site recommends *not* refinishing Coprion bells because they always look bright pink afterward.

It's really a matter of person preference, but you should find out before-hand if your dad would be thrilled or upset to have a trumpet with a bright pink bell.

- morris

connloyalist

If you give me the full serial number, I can tell you when it was made. Most likely 1941 or earlier. If your father was given the instrument new, then there is a good chance it had been in the music shop for a few years before being sold. Alternatively, this was world war 2, so it may have been owned by someone who was killed during the war, then sold by the relatives. But there is no way of knowing, there are no records on these things (I would be very interested to find the provenance of several instruments, but alas).

Regards, Christine

screamingmorris

I have the opportunity to buy a Conn with Coprion bell that has some denting on the bell.
Is it more difficult to repair denting on a Coprion bell? I thought it might be more brittle, etc. Plus, if a crack develops, what would they use to fill the crack, since ordinary solder in a Coprion bell would look bad.

- morris

connloyalist

I don't know. Copper is softer than brass, as far as I know.

Regards, Christine