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9 Posts
I've had this horn in my attic for 20 years....bought it for 50 bucks from someone who thought it was an "old piece of junk", and had been in his attic for a long time, too...no idea how long. Anyway, its a Conn 10M Tenor, circa 1945. It was not really in playable shape when I got it...needs all new pads...really, a complete "overhaul", and it looks like hell.
It looks to me like someone de-laquered it...laquer being so evenly "absent". So I was thinking about having it redone...read some of the long debate threads on the subject...:shock:
let me just say, I'm not of the school that believes this will alter the sound, and certainly don't want to get into a discussion about that; I just want to pretty-up the horn, and if possible, keep it that way, and/or protect it. Most of the threads seem to focus on the merits of removing existing laquer, etc...well, here's one thats nekkid to begin with.
I took some pics of it, and on closer examination, it seems that there is laquer on the keys and rods. I found that I can just rub off some of the 'gunk' on the keys with my thumb, and it shines right up. I'm not sure about the bell/engraving area. Is that still laquered, or was it just polished more smoothly by the factory, the body being more of a "satin" finish?
Mechanically, the horn seems to be in very good shape. nothing appears bent, everything "works"...just the pads are worn nearly flat. I think I can handle a re-pad on my own. I've replaced plenty before. just never done a whole horn all at once.
So, how should I proceed with cleaning this thing up? Brasso? or other brass cleaner? I've seen comments about "buffing" being bad...I can only imagine those must be referring to a heavy industrial process, removing large amounts of metal. (?). I was thinking more on the lines of a hand-buffing. or at most, would there be any harm in a dremel tool with a light touch and the cotton polishing wheels?
any tips appreciated
thanks
-chuck
It looks to me like someone de-laquered it...laquer being so evenly "absent". So I was thinking about having it redone...read some of the long debate threads on the subject...:shock:
let me just say, I'm not of the school that believes this will alter the sound, and certainly don't want to get into a discussion about that; I just want to pretty-up the horn, and if possible, keep it that way, and/or protect it. Most of the threads seem to focus on the merits of removing existing laquer, etc...well, here's one thats nekkid to begin with.
I took some pics of it, and on closer examination, it seems that there is laquer on the keys and rods. I found that I can just rub off some of the 'gunk' on the keys with my thumb, and it shines right up. I'm not sure about the bell/engraving area. Is that still laquered, or was it just polished more smoothly by the factory, the body being more of a "satin" finish?
Mechanically, the horn seems to be in very good shape. nothing appears bent, everything "works"...just the pads are worn nearly flat. I think I can handle a re-pad on my own. I've replaced plenty before. just never done a whole horn all at once.
So, how should I proceed with cleaning this thing up? Brasso? or other brass cleaner? I've seen comments about "buffing" being bad...I can only imagine those must be referring to a heavy industrial process, removing large amounts of metal. (?). I was thinking more on the lines of a hand-buffing. or at most, would there be any harm in a dremel tool with a light touch and the cotton polishing wheels?
any tips appreciated
thanks
-chuck