Past Projects

Before and After

Click on an image to see the gallery.

Catalog image.

1/14

Conn Ultimatum Cornet

Besides the usual dent removal and resoldering, the list of parts needed for this restoration was considerable. It was unlikely that a suitable "donor horn" would present itself- the Conn Ultimatum model is not nearly as common as the later Wonder. The decision was made to fabricate the missing parts, including the fingerbuttons, caps, mouthpipe shank, Bb slide extension, and pistons. The instrument was originally gold plated, though quite worn, so the instrument was prepped and sent to Andersons Plating.

1/16

Bach Stradivarius Trumpet #174

This trumpet had been through a lot. It had been played a great deal, and was probably overhauled at least twice. Fortunately, those past refinish efforts did not buff away the bell or valve casing markings to a great degree, as so often happens. There were many crude patches on it, most of which I replaced with better fitting and less obvious ones. This trumpet had been converted into a lamp (!) at one point. A hole had been drilled in the bell crook during that process, and then patched when it was "de-lamp-ified" in the 1960s. I wanted to avoid a patch on that part of the bell, and spent a lot of time fitting a flush patch in, with good results. Polishing was very light in order to preserve the metal, and it was left unlacquered as originally sold.

1/10

Metzler Circular Cornet

While to my knowledge I'm not related, the English firm Metzler & Co. interests me for obvious reasons. I believe that the company was primarily a dealer, and sub contracted the manufacture of most, if not all, of the brasswinds that bear their name. This instrument was disassembled in order to facilitate dent removal. A new main tuning slide was fabricated to replace the non original slide. A new fingerbutton and mouthpipe shank were also made. The finish was left bare brass, as would be appropriate for a circa 1870 instrument. Click on the images below for more pictures of the instrument.

Owner Mark Elrod playing in the upright position.

1/17

Gautrot Tuba

This unusual tuba can be converted from an over the shoulder style instrument to an upright instrument by pivoting the mouthpipe and locking it into position. This extensive restoration involved making a new mouthpipe and fingerbuttons, much dent removal and patching, a valve refit, and removal of a mummified mouse from the bore of the instrument! To read an article by Robert Eliason about the tuba in the AMIS Newsletter, click here. Article starts on page 11. Restored for Mark Elrod.

1/10

Conn Dupont Eb Cornet

This early Conn Dupont cornet dates to about 1878. Restored for Bill Faust.

1/13

Besson Pocket Cornet

This Besson pocket cornet was somewhat abused, and had some previous poor repairs. It was disassembled to facilitate dent removal. Cleaning and polishing was kept to a minimum to preserve the metal. With the addition of shanks/alternate main slide it will play in C or Bb. Restored for Bill Faust.

1/13

Conn 80A Cornet

Conn made variations on this design, utilizing the "Opera Glass" tuning mechanism, for over 50 years. Restored for Bob Woodard.

1/9

Gilmore, Graves and Co. Bugle

This short lived Boston company was in business from 1864-65, with bandmaster Patrick Gilmore partnering with the established instrument maker Samuel Graves. Restored for Mark Elrod.

1/13

Conn Wonder Cornet

The Conn Wonder cornet was patented in 1886 and made as late as the early 1900s. This 1902 example was replated in silver with gold trim, and the valves were refit. Restored for Steve Gruver.

1/12

Boston Musical Instrument Manuf'y Cornet

At some point in its life, the main and third tuning slide tubes were shortened on this cornet. There was also a poor solder repair to the third valve lever, in addition to the usual dent removal and soldering needed. After removing the solder on the lever it was apparent that a small portion of the lever was missing, so a piece was grafted into place. Tubes of the correct length were installed, and new hub screws made.

1/10

Pellison, Guinot, Blanchon & Cie Trombone

This trombone was made between about 1905 an 1931, according to the New Langwill Index. It was found in the attic of a barn in Thauvenay, a small village about 45 minutes from Bourges (where it may have been originally sold by J. Kochly, according to the bell markings), and given to Aidan Lombard by the property owner. Aidans father Joseph had it restored for him as a Chistmas gift.