Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:29 pm Post subject: Buying a horn from a smoker
So I have been offered a nice Bach Stradivarius for about $500 it is owned currently by a smoker who is a friend of mine. He plays a Bach Stradivarius 43 he just has another Bach Stradivarius laying around. His house doesn't smell like he's a smoker and his horns don't seem to be gross. Nothing a bath couldn't fix. Is it a bad idea to buy a horn from a smoker? Does a smoker playing a horn make it gunky? Could I clean it out very thoroughly and get un-gunky? I am just looking for some insight on this. Thanks!
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 116 Location: Georgetown, Texas
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:13 pm Post subject:
I would take to my tech for a good cleaning and checkup. _________________ michael
Selmer Radial
Selmer K-Modified - Trumpet and Cornet
Selmer Paris Flugelhorn
Martin Handcrafted Dansant
Expect noticeable tar deposits in the leadpipe. I would use rubbing alcohol together with a snake to clean the leadpipe. The case may also be smelling of smoke, and that may be more difficult to help.
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 4:41 am Post subject:
You ought to take your new horn to a tech for what Charlie calls "playing condition"... cleaning, corks and felts (or whatever other pads), springs if you need them. Most include minor dent removal as well.
All due respect to your smoker friend, but you don't know what's lurking inside that horn, regardless of smoke. Best to start fresh and clean.
If you're scared of buying it because he's a smoker, give me his number and I'll buy it.
But that is truly nothing to be scared about. Just ask him for a trial or return window to give yourself time to have it checked out by your repairman. _________________ Corey Divine
Bach LR19043B B-flat
Blackburn converted Bach C
Kanstul CC920 Piccolo
Blessing XL Flugelhorn
J.W. York and Sons Perfec-Tone B-flat/A Cornet
Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 7080 Location: Houston, TX.
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 5:56 am Post subject:
As others have said, if the horn plays well and is in decent condition, especially for that price I would definitely buy it.....and take it to someone you trust for a thorough ultrasonic cleaning. I do that with used horns regardless of their history, and even with a brand new horn I always give it a cleaning myself.
I'm also a non-smoker, and as distasteful as I think smoking is, if you play a couple of gigs in clubs that still allow smoking your horn is going to smell like that anyway. You inhale the second hand smoke and blow it into your horn, there's not a lot you can do about it in that environment. Even today there are two or three clubs locally that my band works in that unfortunately still allow smoking. I thoroughly and regularly clean my horns with warm water, dish soap and appropriate brushes, that takes care of the problem.
Brad _________________ When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval
Joined: 24 Dec 2010 Posts: 2197 Location: Venice, CA & Paris, France
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:19 am Post subject:
is this the smoker that you bought it from?
_________________ ron meza (deadbeat jazz musician) & (TH 5 post ghost neighborhood watch ringleader)
waiting for Fed-Ex to deliver a $50 trumpet to my door. shipping was prepaid by seller of course!
http://ronmeza.com http://highdefinitionbigband.com
Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 257 Location: Sydney, Australia
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:52 am Post subject:
Mate, use some common sense--- it's nothing a good bath in Luke warm water can't fix. Much worse off buying a horn from somebody who habitually eats just before or while they play without cleaning their mouth--and how many people do you know who do exactly this?
500.00 is a gift for a Bach Strad in good playing order.-- don't complain about what you can fix. _________________ Principal Trumpet,
Sydney Symphony (1978-2011)
Lecturer in Trumpet, Australian National University 1990-2010
Bach Artist and Clinician, Soloist
http://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/artist-information/centerstage/artist-roster/daniel-mendelow/
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8914 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:27 am Post subject:
Smoking is a nonissue for the horn. I'm confident that it will clean up without a trace.
The case is another matter. It's near impossible to de-smoke a case. Just plan on replacing it. _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart
As far as getting the smell of smoke out of a case, I have had good luck with using the Kirkland brand of dryer sheets from Costco. They work better than the usual national brands. I've used them in cars that smell of smoke and they work great for the musty smell inside of vintage cases.
Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 588 Location: Chicago 'burbs
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 10:30 am Post subject:
In the Chicago area, Craigslist Strads are rarely listed for less than $1200. You have to opportunity to get a nice trumpet for well below market rate-pay the man and run for the door. If a good scrubbing at home doesn't clean it up, an ultrasonic or chem clean by a good tech certainly will. Enjoy your good fortune.
Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 2814 Location: Coarsegold, CA
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:17 pm Post subject:
Buy the horn as an investment.
If you get cancer in the next decade or so, sue the guy for millions for causing your illness with his second-hand smoke. It will work best if you file the suit in a "progressive" precinct.
Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 12662 Location: Gardena, Ca
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:51 pm Post subject:
markp wrote:
Buy the horn as an investment.
If you get cancer in the next decade or so, sue the guy for millions for causing your illness with his second-hand smoke. It will work best if you file the suit in a "progressive" precinct.
That took a surprising turn.
I expected you to advise him he could resell it for more. After all it is a smokin' deal.
I would be entirely comfortable after a good chem cleaning.
Imagine the situation is not much different than eating at a restaurant using utensils/tableware that have been used by hundreds or more other people -- people who may have any number of health issues, whether smoking, infections, malignancy, and so on.
Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 7770 Location: Des Moines, IA area
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:35 am Post subject:
markp wrote:
Buy the horn as an investment.
If you get cancer in the next decade or so, sue the guy for millions for causing your illness with his second-hand smoke. It will work best if you file the suit in a "progressive" precinct.
Ah, yes- the American Dream, esp for a community organizer...
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