More Info./Worth Restoring? -> V. Kohlert & Sons Graslitz

[zephyr259]

Hi,

A person donated a horn to my school's band program for free. It was his father's and he played it in local big bands. I was wondering if anybody could help me in just simply knowing more about these horns and in determing whether it's worth keeping or not. Also, how they stand up to American or French-made horns (Conn, King, Selmer, etc.).


Here are the specifics:


-Bell Engravings: V. Kohlert & Sons
Graslitz

-Key Guards have 'VKS' cut design (from front and side views)

-Alternate/Trill G# and F# keys

-Every single key has pearl touches (left hand palm keys, pinky keys, octave key, right hand side keys, pinky keys, F# and G# Alternate Trill keys, and anything else i missed)

-Has the low Eb tone hole on the inward side of horn instead of traditionally being on the back.


-S.N. 264xxx

-Original Lacquer and in good overall condition

Hopefully this will help in determing the horn's value and in turn whether it's worth keeping or not.


P.S. I can add photos if anybody wants...

Thanks a lot,

Clay

[Bernards20040]

that is a VKS model built in about 1935 according to saxpics
go to and click the Kohlert link, it will give you some idea
www.saxpics.com
if it looks like the ones on there and it was mine i would be keeping for sure

how does it play?

[zephyr259]

Well, it's missing nearly the entire cork and the pads are in poor working order. It would need a total re-allignment though some of the action is ok. Some keys would also some cork built up and the high F key's pad fell out (coverered the whole with the pad to play).

It's basically just able to get a sound out of it, but i'm sure with a quick cork-job and some other basics it would be a lot better.

It's also suprisingly as the horn looks to be in really good condition.

I'll post some photos later today,

Clay

[zephyr259]

Sorry, I really have been meaning to post these photos but someone else has the horn right now so as soon as I get it I'll definatly have them up for viewing.

Clay

[zephyr259]

Sorry, I really have been meaning to post these photos but someone else has the horn right now so as soon as I get it I'll definatly have them up for viewing.

Clay

[spiderjames]

I love Kohlert horns. I think they are underrated and underpriced. Good for me, I can buy extra! I've never played one of the VKS variety but I'm sure they would hold up to anything of the same era. I would keep it. Love to have one.