Tips for young or new instrument collectors
October 7, 2008 by Robert Medley
Filed under Collecting
You have just found grandpas horn in the attic or bought a strange looking instrument at a flea market or yard sale.
YOU ARE HOOKED! That is how most of us started and some of us cant stop!
After you have asked the first three questions, what is it? can it be fixed? and how much is it worth? you can settle down and seriously consider whether collecting is for you. First you need to consider a few things that will help you along the way.
Your collection should be aimed in a given direction. Consider what area you want to collect in. Brasses come in many different sizes and categories
Keyless brasses (bugles)
Keyed brasses (bugles and ophicleides)
Brasses with slides
Brasses with valves
Various valve systems
Different tubing configurations
Various makers
Some areas are inexpensive and some can be very expensive, almost prohibitive and impossible to find.
Source materials are available in libraries and you will find other collectors will help you along the way. Good sources are Langwells index and the works of Dr. Herbert Heyde. Also helpful are the papers of Robert Eliason and the Brass band journal.
We will help you if we can and I would also suggest visiting Kenton Scotts website Horn-u-copia.net
