New to me... 1941 Martin Committee Handcraft (first post)

[latestart]

Hi all;

I have been a 'lurker' periodically for a few years. I have been exploring the idea of learning and decided to buy a vintage horn that would hopefully be a fun instrument and possible to sell at or near the purchase price if I don't fall in love with the instrument.

I think I have had some good shopping fortune worth sharing. I just purchased a Martin Committee, serial 137XXX, made 1940. It is medium bore (has a #2) has had a re-lacquer and has some damage on the leadpipe that will need repaired. The seller was a pawn shop and they reported that it had 'been on the back shelf for several years'. Seller said valves move freely. Since I was buying remote I made a low-ball offer and negotiated a price less than 40-50% of what I see them trade for on eBay. Upon closer examination and research, it is a handcraft, which was not discussed when we were negotiating, so a nice bonus.

It's on it's way so I only have the seller's pictures which are crappy. I plan to find the right shop to do some restoration once I can evaluate the condition. Current thought is mechanical restoration and 'raw' since the lacquer is not original and the leadpipe will need work. Goal is to make it play a well as possible and not harm the value during my custodianship.

Comments welcome. As stated at the top, I am not very knowledgeable, so any mis-statements are just lack of knowledge, not expressions of opinion. But I am pretty excited to go on a journey with this horn.

[Def Trumpet]

Nice purchase!
_________________
'50s Martin Committee M Bore
NY Bach Strad 42
MV Bach Strad 37
ACB 3CS

[Zman]

Nice score. If you need any assistance with information on your new horn let me know.
_________________
Martins:
HC Committee #2
HC Imperial #3 LB & #4 XL Bore
Deluxe Committee Bb, C & Eb
Taylor Chicago II Lite
Yamaha 8335LA

www.thebrasscellar.com
www.facebook.com/thebrasscellar
www.youtube.com/channel/UCZk1sIuyVsQzrbsl7HfIfKw/

[Bert Falcone]

I have had 2 handcraft Committee horns restored by Josh Landress out of NYC. His is an artist and can bring this horn back to life for you. Check out his website.
www.jlandressbrass.com
_________________
German made Destino *3* gold plated
1932 NY Bach Strad
1936 Keefer Brua
1940 NY Bach ML
1945 French Besson Meha
1978 Benge 1X
1950 Martin C
2008 Selmer Concept Flugel

[dcjway]

Charlie Melk of Charlies Brass Works has done some horns for me and he is really good too.
_________________
Shires Destino III
1971 Bach Vindabona
1947 Martin Committee (Large Bore)
1935 NY Bach 26-59 silver plate

[shofarguy]

latestart,

There are a few places you can send your Martin to get it lovingly restored. Josh Landress is certainly one. Robb Stewart in Arcadia, Southern California, is another. You might also call the Kanstul factory. They are working on a medium bore version of their 1603 and might have the tooling for the lead pipe made by now. Their restorations have been highly respected over the years. I see no reason that that would have changed now that Zig has passed. A call would find out.
_________________
Brian A. Douglas

Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper


There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

[latestart]

Thanks for the great ideas!

When I get it in my hands next week I will first a local player test it and a local shop give feedback. Afterwards i'll check out the people above. I did talk to Charlie today - very nice guy and helpful.

I did have feedback that you can have the bell re-engraved. Mine is faint from buffing and a poor lacquer job. I will have all of the mechanical wrongs made right. Not feeling inclined to re-lacquer.

Any reason NOT to go raw and have the bell re-etched as part of the restoration?

Thanks again for kind words and feedback.

[dcjway]

Lacquer or raw is personal preference, as for fixing the engraving I have had that done and have been very happy with it. Google "Artistic Engraving" she does great work and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
_________________
Shires Destino III
1971 Bach Vindabona
1947 Martin Committee (Large Bore)
1935 NY Bach 26-59 silver plate

[latestart]

The trumpet is lacking a proper case. Is it worthwhile to pursue a vintage Martin case? I have seen a few for over $300 and not in great condition.

Recommendation for a good modern case would be helpful. This trumpet will not be exposed to 'hard travel' so it doesn't need to be overly protective, just good for in-house and to/from lessons. Will any vintage Martin case work?

[dcjway]

My Shires came with a Pro-Pac case that's nice and small, and even though I have the original case for my old Bach I keep it in a Torpedo bag If it were me I'd spend the $300 on a Torpedo bag and pass on the old moldy one.
_________________
Shires Destino III
1971 Bach Vindabona
1947 Martin Committee (Large Bore)
1935 NY Bach 26-59 silver plate

[Goby]

I second the motion to get a torpedobag! They are the bomb!

The only reason to buy a matching vintage case for your trumpet would be for collectibility. Beyond that, they can't even compare to today's technology and improvements in design.

Torpedo bags seems to be having a 20% off sale right now, which puts the price around $180

[dcjway]

Wow, maybe I should get another one, nothing like a case that can hold a car up and not damage the horn inside. I think I need one for my Committee.
_________________
Shires Destino III
1971 Bach Vindabona
1947 Martin Committee (Large Bore)
1935 NY Bach 26-59 silver plate

[latestart]

As mentioned in my OP, this horn has bell damage, multiple patches that were inexpertly applied.

In sharing pictures with Kanstul they suggested that a bell replacement might be the best restoration path. They have the Martin Bell they have designed for the 1603 which is a committee replica. Any idea on how that might impact sound? The cost is reasonable.

Goal is to get to great playing condition, I am not going to lose sleep over 100% originality given the condition it is in now.

Pictures of damage:

DSC09927 by J Murray, on Flickr

DSC09928 by J Murray, on Flickr

DSC09948 by J Murray, on Flickr

DSC09914 by J Murray, on Flickr

Thanks

[Wondra]

If you are ever going to sell it, you are far better off keeping the horn original. Martin Handcraft Committees are rare and collectible. If you change the bell you've changed the horn and will limit any future interest in it. People like Josh Landress and Robb Stewart can fix that bell no problem. They both have restored horns in far worse condition and made then beautiful and playable again.

If you intend to keep the horn, or are not bothered by lower resale value, go for the Kanstul bell. It will be a less expensive way to make the horn playable, assuming the rest of the horn is in good shape.
_________________
Dave Wondra

Don't make me get the flying monkeys...

[Grits Burgh]