Age of horns

Trumpetguy74 · New Member Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 6

What's everyone's consensus on how long a well-kept horn can last without major overhaul work? I'm always concerned buying used horns about their age.

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Age of horns

Shipham_Player · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:41 am Post subject:

I fall into the weekend warrior category now and my 64 Olds Recording is still absolutely fabulous to play.

It looks like it's gone 10 rounds but sound wise it's gorgeous.

No reason it won't last another 20 years providing I get it serviced and cleaned regularly.
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Dale Proctor · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:56 am Post subject:

My main concern with buying an old trumpet is the condition of the valves. Coming in a close second is how well it was maintained and if there's any red rot on it. If the valves show little wear and the original lacquer is mostly intact with no evidence of red rot visible, and the horn isn't beat-up, it's a pretty safe buy. Of course, it should be an instrument with a good reputation and not some unknown brand from eastern Europe...
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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

Christian K. Peters · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:33 pm Post subject: Age of horns

Hello all,
As long as red rot is at the minimum and that the valves don't have plating loss and are leaking, old horns should last a long time. My Olds Special from 47-48 has just now started to show valve wear. But they work great and it does not leak much.
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Christian K. Peters
Schilke Loyalist since 1976

VetPsychWars · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:24 pm Post subject:

I have bought a lot of Buescher horns. Most have needed valve rebuilds because they were loved to death.

I prefer that to a crappy horn with pristine valves.

Tom
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1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1

Dayton · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:58 am Post subject:

I inherited a 1940s French Besson Meha trumpet and a 1950s Holton Super Collegiate cornet. Both had been played regularly for 50+ years.

Both horns were still very "playable," but they needed to have the valves replated in order for them to be reliably usable, such as in a performance setting. Having the valves replated is fairly expensive -- around $450 per horn if I recall correctly (which might have included some minor dent removal as well).

So, how long a horn "lasts" depends in part on what you want to use it for. If you simply want to play and enjoy it, and are willing to tolerate a valve hanging on occasion then you probably won't have to worry about overhaul costs. If you want to perform with the horn then you might need pay more to overhaul the horn than the price you paid for it....

giakara · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:37 am Post subject:

I have my Lawler TL5-1A since 2004 and I play it professional every day , I have send it two times to Schagerl shop for lead pipe change and silver plating the first time and for tuning slide crook change the second .
I still use it as my main horn and is in great condition , as mentioned if you are a occasional player and you clean and care your horns right it last for ever but if you use it in dayly basis you need a good service from time to time.

Regards
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Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
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Getzen eterna 910 C
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