Before and After Page
Here you will find before and after pictures of various instruments I have worked on. Check back for new additions.
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.
Before After
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 finger buttons, 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.
Before After
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! Restored for Mark Elrod.
Before After
Bach Stradivarius Trumpet #174
This trumpet has 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.
Before After
Missenharter Cornet
This cornet needed only moderate work, as opposed to some of the more extensive restorations on this page. Dent removal, pulling stuck slides, silver cleaning, and a chemical flush were all that was required with this nice example of a Missenharter cornet.
Before After
Conn "Besson Model" Cornet
Conn made cornets patterned after other makers models as a lower priced alternative to his own designs. This early Conn was made circa 1880. Work included dent removal, light polishing and replating in silver. Owned by Niles Eldredge.
Before After
Boosey Echo Cornet
Echo cornets have a fourth valve that directs the airflow to a second bell, which tapers down to a small opening, giving a mute effect. This design is quite compact and comfortable to hold as opposed to some echo cornets. Work consisted of the usual dent removal, soldering, and some alignment of slide tubing. All four valves were refit, and then the instrument was polished and silver plated. Four triangular patches had been applied long ago, presumably to cover cracks, and these were left on. This cornet belongs to Richard I. Schwartz- creator of the excellent site, The Cornet Compendium.
Before After
Conn 48B Trumpet
This trumpet appeared to be in fairly good condition initially, but the bare brass was good camouflage for a lot of etching and small dents and wrinkles. Several tubes were replaced due to red rot. It was decided to go from brass to silver finish, with excellent results.
Before After
Conn and Dupont Four in One Cornet
The Conn and Dupont Four in One cornet is so named because it can be set up to play in Eb, C, Bb, and A. This example was nicely engraved, though the engraving was worn in the hand held areas, and required re-cutting. The plating was also quite worn, so after the usual dent and solder work it was prepped for replating in silver. As found the instrument only retained the Eb shank, so the rest of the crooks and shanks needed to complete the outfit were fabricated. This beautiful cornet is owned by Bill Faust.
Before After
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.
Before After
Conn 80A Cornet
Conn made variations on this design, utilizing the "Opera Glass" tuning mechanism, for over 50 years. This cornet was disassembled to facilitate dent removal. Restored for Bob Woodard.
Before After
Circular Cornet
Circular cornets were popular in the Civil War era. This example is unmarked, probably made in Germany for the US market. Hub screws and two stop arms were fabricated, along with the usual dent removal and soldering. The finish was left bare brass, appropriate for the period. Restored for Eric Totman.
Before After
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. Owned by Mark Elrod.
Before After
Conn Victor 'Specially Small, pocket cornet conversion
This project attempts to answer the question, "what if Conn made a Victor Special pocket cornet?" Starting with a full size Victor Special, tubing was rearranged, the bell was bent, and the third slide reconfigured. Once a successful design was realized, the instrument was polished and lacquered, and of course renamed- The Victor 'Specially Small". Commissioned by Ron Redding.
Before After
