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ConnArtist
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Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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 Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 2:36 pm Post subject: Cleaning old yellowed finger buttons? |
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I recently acquired a 1958 horn with Mother of Pearl finger buttons in otherwise excellent shape, except this yellow hue. From the top, they look perfect. But I f you look at them from the side or any angle, they look very yellow, which I associate with dirty and icky.
I’m guessing it’s years of grunge and finger oil wicking down the side?
In any case, soaking for hours in white vinegar didn’t get rid of it. Neither did soaking in water with dish detergent overnight.
Does anybody know any tricks for getting old finger buttons like this clean?
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn  )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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Halflip
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
Posts: 1935
Location: WI
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning old yellowed finger buttons? |
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| ConnArtist wrote: | | But I f you look at them from the side or any angle, they look very yellow, which I associate with dirty and icky. |
Do they feel dirty and icky? If not, I wouldn't do anything to them (you might damage the surface and make them worse). It's simply patina.
Besides, yellow is my favorite color. 
If they bother you enough to spend some money on the problem, you could have the inlays replaced with new ones by a competent tech. For example:
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157907
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"He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)
"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run" |
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etc-etc
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 6194
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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Taking advice from a jeweler on a related subject, that is, prevention of yellowing of pearls due to dehydration, overhydration and acidic sweat:
| Quote: | WEAR YOUR PEARLS
One of the best ways to prevent yellowed pearls is by wearing them.
Your natural oils help to keep pearls moisturised, and their lustre will also be improved when worn next to your skin.
Although it might sound rather decadent, it’s a great idea to wear your pearls at night, as your skin’s oils are richer when at rest.
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Water in excess is also no good:
| Quote: | BE CAREFUL WITH EXPOSURE TO WATER
Do not bath or shower in your pearls, as the chemicals in tap water will attack the pearl nacre. Never swim in a chlorinated swimming pool, as chlorine is dehydrating, leading to yellowed pearls. Don’t wear your pearls whilst doing strenuous exercise, either, as your sweat is acidic.
Saltwater pearls like South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls and baroque pearls will all benefit from exposure to saltwater. Take advantage of an ocean swim whilst wearing our salt water designs like our silver-black Tahitian pearl necklace.
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I guess you could visit a jeweler:
| Quote: | HOW TO CLEAN PEARLS THAT HAVE YELLOWED
If your pearls have yellowed, it’s best to get them professionally cleaned.
Book into a personal consultation or contact us to find out how Coleman Douglas Pearls can assist with your yellowed pearls.
Remember that regular maintenance and care of your pearls will reduce risk of damage or yellowing.
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ConnArtist
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| etc-etc wrote: | Taking advice from a jeweler on a related subject, that is, prevention of yellowing of pearls due to dehydration, overhydration and acidic sweat:
| Quote: | WEAR YOUR PEARLS
One of the best ways to prevent yellowed pearls is by wearing them.
Your natural oils help to keep pearls moisturised, and their lustre will also be improved when worn next to your skin.
Although it might sound rather decadent, it’s a great idea to wear your pearls at night, as your skin’s oils are richer when at rest.
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Water in excess is also no good:
| Quote: | BE CAREFUL WITH EXPOSURE TO WATER
Do not bath or shower in your pearls, as the chemicals in tap water will attack the pearl nacre. Never swim in a chlorinated swimming pool, as chlorine is dehydrating, leading to yellowed pearls. Don’t wear your pearls whilst doing strenuous exercise, either, as your sweat is acidic.
Saltwater pearls like South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls and baroque pearls will all benefit from exposure to saltwater. Take advantage of an ocean swim whilst wearing our salt water designs like our silver-black Tahitian pearl necklace.
...
|
I guess you could visit a jeweler:
| Quote: | HOW TO CLEAN PEARLS THAT HAVE YELLOWED
If your pearls have yellowed, it’s best to get them professionally cleaned.
Book into a personal consultation or contact us to find out how Coleman Douglas Pearls can assist with your yellowed pearls.
Remember that regular maintenance and care of your pearls will reduce risk of damage or yellowing.
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Is M.O.P. The same as pearl though?
It also appears not to be the MOP that’s yellowed, but stuff down the edges.
Like I said, look clean from the top. Seems like yellow nastiness down the sides or under it.
Wondering if there’s a way to get the grunge up and out.
Absolutely not worth going to a jeweler or having them reset.
They’re just Conn buttons. Cheaper to buy a set off ebeigh, but I’d rather try and clean them
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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Halflip
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
Posts: 1935
Location: WI
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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| ConnArtist wrote: | | Is M.O.P. The same as pearl though? |
It is according to Wikipedia (look up "Nacre", which is another name for mother of pearl).
| ConnArtist wrote: | | It also appears not to be the MOP that’s yellowed, but stuff down the edges. |
I'm not sure what you mean by this, unless maybe it's the adhesive used to glue the inlay to the button that has turned yellow. In that case, I doubt that you can rectify it by some kind of cleaning.
_________________
"He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)
"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run" |
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ConnArtist
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Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Halflip wrote: | | ConnArtist wrote: | | Is M.O.P. The same as pearl though? |
It is according to Wikipedia (look up "Nacre", which is another name for mother of pearl).
| ConnArtist wrote: | | It also appears not to be the MOP that’s yellowed, but stuff down the edges. |
I'm not sure what you mean by this, unless maybe it's the adhesive used to glue the inlay to the button that has turned yellow. In that case, I doubt that you can rectify it by some kind of cleaning. |
@Halflip good to know, and thanks for the education!
I don’t have a photo server to share to TH, but it is odd. I have multiple old Conns (as username suggests), as well as many vintage horns that age or older. It’s the first one I’ve had with this issue. But when I look closely, seems like I can see dark reddish-brown right down that edge btw the MOP cabashone (sp?) and the nickel border
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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Halflip
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
Posts: 1935
Location: WI
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| ConnArtist wrote: | | I have multiple old Conns (as username suggests), as well as many vintage horns that age or older. It’s the first one I’ve had with this issue. But when I look closely, seems like I can see dark reddish-brown right down that edge btw the MOP cabashone (sp?) and the nickel border |
Maybe the cabochons were reglued at some point using an inferior adhesive, or the adhesive aged oddly due to exposure to an unusual climate or a previous owner with an unusual body chemistry.
Perhaps someone could scrape away the brown material with a very fine pick-like implement, but I think your best bet would be to acquire a set of replacement buttons.
_________________
"He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)
"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run" |
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etc-etc
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 6194
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Can you post a photo showing the yellowing around the edges? |
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Man Of Constant Sorrow
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Joined: 25 Jun 2023
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Power-wash 'em at 3200 P.S.I.
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Sub-Optimal Hillbilly Jazz |
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etc-etc
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Perhaps the pearls were like this from day 1. |
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kehaulani
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A.N.A.Mendez
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| Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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I have used this method on both pearls and plastic. Auto polishing compound, NOT rubbing compound. Rub some on a soft cloth, tiny bit of water sprayed on. Place on something and clamp down, then rub, polish and peek often to see progress.... Works good as it cleans and polishes gently. 
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"There is no necessity for deadly strife" A. Lincoln 1860
☛ "No matter how cynical you get, it's never enough to keep up" Lily Tomlin☚ |
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ConnArtist
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Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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| A.N.A.Mendez wrote: | | I have used this method on both pearls and plastic. Auto polishing compound, NOT rubbing compound. Rub some on a soft cloth, tiny bit of water sprayed on. Place on something and clamp down, then rub, polish and peek often to see progress.... Works good as it cleans and polishes gently. |
That’s what I’m tawkin’ about!
So, A.N.A… is/are there specific polish(es) that you recommend?
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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ConnArtist
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| A.N.A.Mendez wrote: | | |
Btw, how are you doing, good sir? I haven’t crossed threads with you in many a moon!
I took about a decade hiatus from TH and many other things while all kinds of life “happened”.
Seems I’m finding a lot of the familiar handles from the days of doing battle with a certain starfleet commander are in the “sad news” category 😬. I’m afraid to inquire about some of the names that I recall. Glad to see you’re still about!
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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A.N.A.Mendez
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Joined: 27 Jul 2005
Posts: 5228
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| Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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I know of what you remember......
I use turtle wax polishing compound but to be honest the green tin I have is at least 30 years old..... 
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"There is no necessity for deadly strife" A. Lincoln 1860
☛ "No matter how cynical you get, it's never enough to keep up" Lily Tomlin☚ |
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Riojazz
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Joined: 25 Dec 2006
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Location: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
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| Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2024 7:38 am Post subject: |
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| A.N.A.Mendez wrote: | I know of what you remember......
I use turtle wax polishing compound but to be honest the green tin I have is at least 30 years old..... |
After 30 years, is the wax turning yellow? Sounds like just what is needed here. (kidding)
Without seeing the effect, it does sound like the adhesive rather than the pearl might be the culprit.
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Matt Finley https://mattfinley.bandcamp.com/releases
Kanstul 1525 flugel with French taper, Shires Bb Destino Med & C trumpets, Schilke XA1 cornet, Schagerl rotary, Schilke P5-4 picc, Yamaha soprano sax, Powell flute. Sanborn GR66MS & Touvron-D. |
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ConnArtist
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Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2024 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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| A.N.A.Mendez wrote: | I know of what you remember......
I use turtle wax polishing compound but to be honest the green tin I have is at least 30 years old..... |
I believe I might have a tin of the same stuff of the same vintage  somewhere in the back of the car, or the garage… I think 😅
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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ConnArtist
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2024 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Riojazz wrote: | | A.N.A.Mendez wrote: | I know of what you remember......
I use turtle wax polishing compound but to be honest the green tin I have is at least 30 years old..... |
After 30 years, is the wax turning yellow? Sounds like just what is needed here. (kidding)
Without seeing the effect, it does sound like the adhesive rather than the pearl might be the culprit. |
It’s difficult to say. I’m not aware how translucent those MOP cabochons are. But it’s worth trying. If not, I’ll learn to avert my offended eyes until I find a sufficient donor to replace them with 😅
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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Halflip
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
Posts: 1935
Location: WI
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| Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| ConnArtist wrote: | | If not, I’ll learn to avert my offended eyes until I find a sufficient donor to replace them with 😅 |
You've got me curious now about just how ugly those things are!
| ConnArtist wrote: | | I don’t have a photo server to share to TH . . . |
Imgur is free and pretty easy to use. It also automatically generates the BBCode needed to paste the image directly in your TH post. This thread has detailed instructions (especially the lat two posts):
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=146974
If you don't want to figure out the BBCode part, at least you can upload the images to Imgur and provide a link.
_________________
"He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)
"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run" |
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ConnArtist
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Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 2833
Location: La-la Land (corner of 13th and 13th)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Halflip wrote: | | ConnArtist wrote: | | If not, I’ll learn to avert my offended eyes until I find a sufficient donor to replace them with 😅 |
You've got me curious now about just how ugly those things are!
| ConnArtist wrote: | | I don’t have a photo server to share to TH . . . |
Imgur is free and pretty easy to use. It also automatically generates the BBCode needed to paste the image directly in your TH post. This thread has detailed instructions (especially the lat two posts):
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=146974
If you don't want to figure out the BBCode part, at least you can upload the images to Imgur and provide a link. |
I’ll have to work on that over the coming days. I used to have pics posted on TH, but whatever free server I had used purged them.
Not sure my camera can capture it, but I’ll work on that. Then you can see what a persnickety prima dona I am about finger buttons😅. I’m a bit scarred by yellowed items for having visited homes of multiple cigarette smoking shut-ins with nicotine stained walls 😬. I can’t stand the sight of yellowed items that used to be sparkly white…
_________________
"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML |
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