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
Calling all Restorers
April 15, 2008 by Robert Medley
Filed under Restoration
Restoration experts are hard to find if you are an antique horn collector. Looking at it from the perspective of the restorer, he/she wants do make a profit from their skills and the more they can do in a day, the more money they can earn. The time spent in making parts for instruments made over a century ago can take time and skill, and the ability to do research before attempting restoration. If you know collectors like I do, they want the instrument to play like they were new and the cost of repair to be minimal.
Most museums have their own in house restoration expert, a situation the private small collector does not enjoy. So, where does the little guy go when a restoration is needed? Most music stores will laugh you right out the door and consider you a waste of their time. I think European collectors have a better chance of finding a skilled restorer and linking up with them. Sending your horn across the waters to be restored can be risky business.
There is, in the United States the problem of finding an “instrument repair person” why wants to restore your instrument to “like new condition” and actually overdo a restoration with polish and lacquer.
This is that spot between a rock and a hard place that the American collector finds himself in.
Any ideas out there?
