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5 Posts
Hi there,
I've been the proud owner of a number of horns for quite a while, but one of the gems in my collection is a 1971 Vito VSP (Yanagisawa) baritone - I absolutely adore this horn - paid $1800 (what a steal!) for it last year and the mechanics on it are flawless - absolutely beautiful sound and feel to it. Used it for both gigging and recording and it's been absolutely stellar. All in all, it's the perfect horn - except for the lacquering.
This horn has had two previous owners (to my knowledge) and the last owner had all the pads and springs completely overhauled in the mid-90s and then put the horn in storage for ages. However, the original lacquer has stayed with it, and I would estimate probably about only 20% of the original lacquer remains. The rest has obviously just been stripped away and the horn's been oxidizing - but the overall effect is that it makes it look really beat-up and not well maintained at all.
I've had comments from some profs and former teachers who said that the horn totally sounds and plays great, but that I would seriously want to consider a full relacquering, both to present a more professional look (as a young pro) and to increase the overall resale value of the horn, were I ever to give it up later on.
So I ask you - can anyone give me an estimate of what a full relacquering may cost? Or better yet, since I've heard that the relacquering of instruments can be a very touchy process indeed, would I be better off just having it stripped and left as bare brass?
Anyone's input would be greatly appreciated into this matter.
Thanks very much!
Nick Roy
PS. Avatar related - it's the horn in question. Unfortunately the B&W effect doesn't really give off the greatest impression of the lacquer.
I've been the proud owner of a number of horns for quite a while, but one of the gems in my collection is a 1971 Vito VSP (Yanagisawa) baritone - I absolutely adore this horn - paid $1800 (what a steal!) for it last year and the mechanics on it are flawless - absolutely beautiful sound and feel to it. Used it for both gigging and recording and it's been absolutely stellar. All in all, it's the perfect horn - except for the lacquering.
This horn has had two previous owners (to my knowledge) and the last owner had all the pads and springs completely overhauled in the mid-90s and then put the horn in storage for ages. However, the original lacquer has stayed with it, and I would estimate probably about only 20% of the original lacquer remains. The rest has obviously just been stripped away and the horn's been oxidizing - but the overall effect is that it makes it look really beat-up and not well maintained at all.
I've had comments from some profs and former teachers who said that the horn totally sounds and plays great, but that I would seriously want to consider a full relacquering, both to present a more professional look (as a young pro) and to increase the overall resale value of the horn, were I ever to give it up later on.
So I ask you - can anyone give me an estimate of what a full relacquering may cost? Or better yet, since I've heard that the relacquering of instruments can be a very touchy process indeed, would I be better off just having it stripped and left as bare brass?
Anyone's input would be greatly appreciated into this matter.
Thanks very much!
Nick Roy
PS. Avatar related - it's the horn in question. Unfortunately the B&W effect doesn't really give off the greatest impression of the lacquer.