If you are not up for a long read, jump to the last paragraph or suggest a forum I could post this in to get responses.
Okay I have an old Jazz trumpet that dates to about 1912 that I recieved from my late great aunt because her husband played it in a jazz ensemble back probably 60 or so years ago (I don't really know much about his career). Unfortunately it has been sitting for the past 30 year since his death and the insides are corroded, but the trumpet still plays very well (I am a tuba player in a high school band, but I do know a little about instrument repair, so I was able to loosen all the slides and get most of the valves working). My biggest issues are: #1 one of the tuning slides has a small hole were the corrosion ate through (strange because it is entirely structurally intact around the hole, and as far as I can tell it has no effect on the instruments tone quality, but I don't want any more damage to be done) My second problem is that it has a rotary valve to change the pitch to Ab when the Bb slides are in (There are C tuned slides that are in the case, so I assume that rotary valve would change it to something else there). The problem with this rotary valve is that it is stuck in the Bb position and will not move and I cannot really get valve oil to it very easily (and I am out of oil at the moment, tubas and sousaphones gulp the stuff) to see if it would loosen up. I will try to have that fixed if I send it in. Next problem is the knob on the tiny slide on the valve casings (I assume most trumpets have that, but I am no expert) broke off and needs to be resoldered (I know how to solder electronics and pipes, but I'm not sure if I would screw up the trumpet in some way trying to do it myself so I will not take the risk). Other than that it is a perfectly functioning trumpet that has a very good sound to it. Last thing is the shape is in poor condition as the handle broke off due to age and the insides are very worn but I am not going to worry about it.
So this is the repairs I am needing: trumpet
chemically cleaned, rotary valve (as seen below) loosened to point it properly functions, and one spot resoldered. About how much should this cost me? The trumpet is worth about $150 on ebay but I would be willing to pay a good amount to have this stuff done because it was one of last things my great aunt gave me before she passed, and I would like to learn how to play a trumpet. From the prices I saw on the internet the fairest seemed to be this person in Iowa (http://tubameister.com/services.htm) that says "Brass Professional Cleaning Services: Includes minor-to-moderate dent work, and alignment of valves or handslide, precision alignment of valves, and multi-stage chemical-cleaning. Lacquered instruments are protected with a protective carnauba wax, and silver-plated instruments are completely hand-polished with the best tarnish-preventative silver polish available." Their price for that was $95 and I have seen about $20 for a spot to be resoldered. I would assume the valve would be repaired in the cleaning charge. Problem is I don't really want to go through the hassle to have it shipped halfway across the US, so I must go to a local music store/ repair shop. What, to you, would be a fair price to have this work done? I will haggle the price down if I have to.
Replies
Whats a "good amount"? Based on what you say, you need more then a spit shine. You're looking at a MINIMUM! of $700 for repairs. I doubt that place is going to do all of what they claim for $95.
1.) They have to take the thing apart. Thats a Benji right there.
2.) Based on the age, they'll have to chemically clean everything. Another 2 Benji's.
3.) Then youve gotta get a valve job. 2 or 3 Benjis... Maybe
4.) Then the Alignment
Those are the basics
and thats considering all the bits and pieces are there or dont need replacement.
Chris - Pinnacle of Hummanity... said:
Chris - Pinnacle of Hummanity... said:
Yeah, I agree with Damien. It should not run you $700 to get a chemical clean, rotary valve back in working condition, and 1 spot resoldered.
Your estimation on Chemical cleans is pretty accurate from what I've experienced and I don't see those other two tasks costing you more than $150 altogether unless they have to replace the rotary valve for some reason... which I don't think they would. So, I'd say on the HIGH end you're looking at $300, but I wouldn't be surprised if you got those three things done for $200 really... that is, with somebody who KNOWS what their doing and isn't trying to work you over. Ask some WORKING musicians where they take THEIR horns and you'll probably be able to find somewhere that's reasonably close to where you are that knows what they're doing. Most of the time they're willing to work with students anyway (don't bank on that happening, but it's likely it will).
It says you're in the ATL metro area on your profile... If that's the case, I recommend that you check out Rich Ita (http://www.brassinstrumentworkshop.com/html/services.html). He KNOWS what he is doing and he'll get your horn right. I can personally vouch for that. You'll probably pay about $300 with him.
Good luck bro.
So the guy in Iowa clearly knows his stuff, as I. The thing is 60 years old and has been sitting for 30 of those years, just wait for that phone call from the shop wanting your approval to do additional work.Your repairs are going to exceed 2 or 3 hundred bucks. Like I said, if you want that trumpet to play correctly, $700 minimum is what youre looking at. I guess a $300 job will make it play decently but I promise you it wont hold a tone and you'll be bringing it back to the shop or oiling the thing constantly like a Dodge.
Edward Mauger said:
TPHunk4Life said: