I need to re-lacquer my trumpet

jfcm52788 · New Member Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 5 Location: george

somebody tell me where i can get my trumpet lacquered again its losing the original lacquer. i live around los angeles
how much does it usually cost? is there a way i can fix my case? its preaty old!

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

[ This Message was edited by: dbacon on 2003-09-25 22:17 ]

jhatpro · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:46 pm Post subject:

Not sure what Cambrass charges, but I paid $275 to have an Olds Ambassador relacquered. Most of the work was done at Stregge in Elkhorn, WI.

I paid $175 to have the same done to an old Conn 22B. The work was done by a different provider, one who clearly doesn't know what he's doing, or doesn't care. The work was so shoddy I stripped the horn to raw brass and sold it. I'd tell you who the provider is but I don't want to get sued. Besides, he's a couple of thousand miles from California so it's unlikely you'd chance onto him anyway.

The lesson is there are many providers and some are better than others. In my opinion it would be better to pay a top-of-the-line shop like the one Dave Bacon recommended, Cambrass in California, to do quality work than try to cut corners and end up with something you're not happy with.

On the other hand, if even $175 strikes you as too steep, you might consider stripping the horn to raw brass. You can do this yourself with a quart of Cold Stripper from http://www.ferrrestools.com

As for your case, it depends what it needs. I've done some repairs myself, choosing from the wide array of repair products you'll find in the adhesives aisle at a good hardware or home improvement store. I've had stitching done at shoe shops with good results. Check eBay for replacement handles and hinges.

You can improve an old case a good deal just by cleaning it up with upholstery shampoo and leather cream. If it smells of mildew, use a produce called Fabreeze, which you'll find it the laundry aisle of any supermarket.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

trumpetmike · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 12:07 am Post subject:

If you are going for relacquering, why not go the next step further - gold plating?
It will look impressive (well, I think so!) and you shouldn't have any problems with tarnishing in the future - gold plating is fantastic for maintaining the "as new" look.

OldKid · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Posts: 135

I work with a high school band and we have horns reconditioned from time to time. We've had the best luck with Volkweins Music
138 Industry Parkway
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(412)-788-5900
(800)-553-8742

They use to send everything to Allied but now they have an in-house dept as well. They arn't cheap but they do a good job.

Jagermeister · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 1:42 am Post subject:

Mhh.
Riconsider laquering that is bad and consider plating...

Be sure that the laquering work is well done, go to a specialist. Lacquer is very difficult to do.
If laquer is not well done, it will go away like small pieces of glass. Also Bach sold bad lacquered trumpets in the last years---

Marco

bgwbold · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:16 am Post subject:

The last time I got a quote, silver plating was just about the same price as relacquering. Depending on what horn you have, you might like silver plating about as well.

Mike

JoeWats · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:08 pm Post subject:

You might check with Brookmays Music on the overhaul ..

http://www.brookmays.com

JW

_dcstep · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:20 pm Post subject:

Before I'd go to Brook Mays in the DFW area, I'd go to John Butler at:

(972) 242-7707
txhorndoc@aol.com

BTW, I actually do a lot of business with Brook Mays and think they're a fine retailer, but I wouldn't use them for repair unless I knew which tech was going to work on my horn.

I didn't mention John earlier because I didn't realize the original poster was in TX (still not sure looking at his profile).
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

JoeWats · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:28 pm Post subject:

Does John Butler have a website? I'm interested in having a couple of my
horns overhauled.

JW

Horn of Praise · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:13 pm Post subject:

jhatpro is right about the Fabreeze. You may have to apply it two or three times, but it will work. If it takes out pet odors (which it does), it will take out anything.

Un-smell well.

_________________
PAUL NELSON
Eclipse White Lightning
Getzen Eterna 900 Classic
Monette B4LD
http://abel.hive.no/trumpet/artist/friedrich/seminar/caruso.html

[ This Message was edited by: Horn of Praise on 2003-09-08 19:13 ]

pitchb · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:38 pm Post subject:

You guys are all crazy! If there's any lacquer left, strip it all off. Raw brass horns are the best! Of course, I might be a little biased because my horn is unlacquered, but hey, it works for me, so I'm just trying to spread the joy.

Matt

_dcstep · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:53 pm Post subject:

John Butler doesn't have a website. Call him and talk to him. I've only had very minor work done by him, but he was excellent, fast and reasonably priced. (Under $10 to straighten the third-valve slide that I dropped on a concrete floor, now perfectly realigned). Several other guys that I know have used him. He was at Brook Mays for a while, but has been on his on lately.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

bgwbold · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 7:03 pm Post subject:

John Butler is in old downtown Carrollton, and I would recommend him, too. He did the dent removal on my Ambassador and a few other horns over the years. His number is 972-242-7707. He is sometimes open a little bit on Saturdays, but I would make an appointment.

Mike

p.s. For the guy in Paris, TX, I knew of a fellow named Ordelhiede through a friend of mine. Not exactly sure of the spelling, but I could probably track down a phone number if you run into a snag finding him.

[ This Message was edited by: bgwbold on 2003-09-08 22:06 ]