While I understand that this cornet was not repaired in a "professional" manner, that wasn't the point of this video. Before making the video I took the cornet in to an instrument repair shop and I was quoted a price of $500 for the cleaning, parts, and labor to repair the cornet to a professional quality. I didn't want to spend that much on an instrument that I can't even play, so I looked at videos on how to repair it to at least a playable condition. The spare parts and labor cost me around $30, and the spray paint and wood keys were just to give the instrument a personalized feel. While I realize this process/video are appalling to some, I'm actually quite pleased with how it turned out! The cornet is actually playable now (it wasn't before) and I have greatly enjoyed learning how to play a brass instrument!
I am not appalled. You did it your way and you are pleased with the results. That is all that counts.I do suggest using wood pieces or thick cardboard to protect threads on buttons next time. Same with pliers on tubing. Several layers of electrical tape might prevent most scratches. Other than that, thanks for sharing.
these cornets are chinese sold by jinan lauren and are manufactured with unstamped bells for at least 32 different dealers in GB. they are a distinctive design.just look on ebay. direct from china they were $24 dollars US. inc. case mothpiece and a pair of white gloves.Cheapest in GB under 100 quid. To play to A440 in tune needs 8-10 mm off main tuning slide for dennis wick mouthpieces. but ideal for absolute learners. look on alibaba.com
Yeah, me to - and then I started thinking about the stories I've heard at master classes and the best one was that of Pat Metheny somewhere in the old soviet bloc post collapse. The entire town was animated and fascinated with Metheny's playing. Sometimes a crappy salvage honors the instrument & owner like Metheny honored that poor Russian whose guitar he had to play. Just as long as he doesn't hit women, beat children and kick dogs, he is alright in my book - just don't touch MY instruments!
I have not seen very many restorations done this bad. Sure it is a good way to make a wall hanger, but this cornet is far worse that when it started. I could have restored that to near mint for about $140 or sold you a different near excellent one for about $75. To fix it now, you would have to undo all that mess. I am guessing about $400. Please use the right tools or let someone else do it.
I just came into possession of a 1910 Boston cornet that's been in the family its entire life. Suffice to say I will NOT be going the Rustoleum route with it.
I’m a trumpet player myself and I definitely prefer nice shiny silver, so when you said you were spray painting it I about had a heart attack. But damn I do really like how it turned out. I wish for your sake it was a better horn but I personally think you did a great job despite what other people in the comments are saying
The lead pipe is the most important part of the instrument affecting tuning. I think most shops would just replace one bent that badly for about $50. You can even order your own and solder it on if you want the experience. Most trumpets/cornets are coated with "Triple Plate" which is not much different from a coat of paint. I know it was a lot of work masking and painting it. You might consider stirpping it down to bare metal and using a lighter coat of paint if you don't like the sound. A non-dented lead pipe will make a tremendous amount of difference in how it plays though.
We need more content like this. Sure, he didn't perfectly restore the cornet to its original form, but he made it playable and it looks amazing, without using fancy tools
this horn is the same as the F E OLDS SPECIAL they were a deluxe student model built to professional grade standards. they sold new for about $250-$295. they were heavy wall tubing making them more dent resistant.. they are of good enough quality many cornet players in my band program played them from beginner band all the way thru high school . i began band in 1964 but because i was 1st cornet i traded it in on a new trumpet for my senior year when i earned the 1st chair soloist spot. i still play in a community band today and i have enjoyed every minute of it.. if it were mine i would have has the leadpipe fixed by a pro repairman or got a better one off ebay. thanks for saving this classic horn.
Excellent job !!! I purchased a Jupiter Baritone from a pawn shop for $50...Valves did not work...I took it home,,let the valves SOAK in valve oil...two days later, all valves operated just fine....Horn is valued $510 on line from Jupiter...great beginner baritone..I gave it to a local school band....
Jeez, these comments...chill out people, context from his video alone should tell you that he knows he's not a pro instrument repair tech and that his goal wasn't to perfectly restore and mod this horn. Just to make it playable and look cool. Which I'd say he achieved! Plus he did a good job with his methods. Better then doing a sloppy job and then just nailing it to the wall!
As a musician, I recognize that we set the bar high when we consider our instrument and most other instruments. But as a non-musician, or a learner - and as a novice to the brass 'restoration' world (which this definitely is NOT - you did a SPECTACULAR JOB! Taking an instrument that has been neglected and bringing it back to the original purpose - making music and making the player proud - is enough in and of itself. Yes you destroyed the instrument in the process, you turned it from neglected to utterly scarred - but have you seen Willie Nelson's guitar? The classical with the soundboard so scratched it has a hole where his pick struck the soundboard? He went into a burning building to grab that guitar and plays it every time he is on stage. Haters are gonna hate, Brass experts are cringing, but we who make music have to admire the spirit of your experience, not the trauma we experienced watching it unfold. I applaud you. And for those who think damaging an instrument is bad - consider this: Pat Metheny played jazz on an old, poorly set up guitar in a remote town while touring the world. His take was "the action was so high I didn't know if I could really play it - or how it would sound, but they hosted me, I didn't have to go and the whole town gathered to hear me play with their band. It was the worst guitar I've ever played but it was an experience we all will remember!" That is musicianship! So even a scarred, dented, dusty, neglected instrument when returned to a minimal playing state is something to appreciate - not to denigrate either instrument or owner.
I love brass instruments and play many of them. I admire your approach even if it's not considered the most appropriate in the trade. Truth be told, the dents in the bell could probably be easily removed by an experienced tech. Usually a mandril is involved, as well as a "rolling pin" of sorts. I would highly recommend a rawhide mallet for any potential future restorations. They're designed not to damage brass. Also, a towel in the vice could potentially help prevent crushing brass threads, but don't quote me on that.
Thing was already destroyed and unplayable should he have tossed it into the trash? I'll make sure to find a cheap tuba and spray paint that thing to the point it looks more like NYC subway graffiti now I know there are music snobs
I've played trumpet for 12 years by now. Just bought an old, cheap yet well playing trumpet with some serious denst. Im gonna strip the laquer, fix the denst and paint it in all sorts of colors. Its gonna be my new party gig trumpet
@@Newberntrains it wasn't destroyed. Not even close. I have local schools that have instruments that are that old and often come in to the shop in this condition. They're fairly easily put back into play condition as long as an obsolete part isn't missing or broken (obsolete meaning a part you can no longer source anywhere). Trumpet and cornet parts are not just universal, the braces on one brand won't just fit another brand, nor will the valve pistons or valve guides... they're like car parts in that respect, you have to have the right parts for the brand and model of instrument you are working on. SOME things, like a finger hook, can be made as "universal" parts and can be made to work on a variety of instruments, but by and large, that's not the case.
You got some harsh comments here, and I don't want to add more. But you've made a dogs dinner out of an old cornet, that with a little thought could have been given a new lease of life fairly cheaply.
FLUX is to clean the metals to allow the solder to adhere. The solder is sucked into the joint due to CAPILLARY ACTION NOT THE FLUX! Damn you sure destroyed that horn!
naysayers, at best!! I loved this video, simple, demonstrates a will to succeed. Keep going dude I see a rehabbed guitar in your future, as well as many more ideas for low budget repairs............great job looks good!!
Lol! I'm a former brass player, Bb Cornet; There are millions of quality instruments lying in folk's attics/garages, I think we can stand to lose a beaten up cornet to someone enjoying himself having a go at "restoration". None of us wouldve done this, esp. blowing into it *before* you clean it, yuk! That's as hygienic as licking a cat's bum. Always heat metal before you model it back into shape. Yes, you fully destroyed a repairable cornet but it could easily have ended up at the scrapyard being recycled so at least you learned (a bit) & had some fun...just please don't 'restore' anything else vintage with a serial number.
@@davidmunguia1020 I really wouldn't worry about it - Millions of perfectly good brass instruments inc brand names with serial numbers were melted down over the last 20yrs as UK schools got rid of their Music Depts. and brought in Unisex Toilets. You bought it, you had every right to do whatever the hell you wanted even if you'd filled it with concrete and used it as a doorstop that would've been your right. As a kid, and a budding musician, my Gran let me blow a brass horn on the wall 'to wake up her B&B Guests'. LOL! Of course there were no guests there at the time, but I didn't know that : )
@@JustClaude13 'Destroyed' in the sense that you could repair & restore an instrument not just to "playable condition", achieved in the loosest sense here, no serious player would do anything more than call in the cows with the cornet as is - so yes, I'd call that creatively ruined or destroyed - but he had fun so what's the big deal. I'm not criticising his Project - he paid for it, he can do what he likes, but, if we took the same view on every damaged piece of Edwardian Jewellery that someone decided to test a hammer on rather than restoring it, we'd lose priceles examples of Wartime Jewellery the Charity Shop/Boot Sale buyer couldn't afford to personally repair, but someone else could've done.
@@goldbunny1973 Of course, it's not exactly Edwardian fine jewelry. It's apparently a '60s vintage Reynolds Medalist, which is easily available in good condition for around $200-250. In its original condition, I doubt that his cornet was worth more than fixing to a wall plaque.
For quite a few years I played an unlacquered brass tuba. I needed to polish it regularly and only ever played it with white gloves. But the sound was magnificent. Basically any surface coating alters the way that moisture clings and this changes the tone. Paint the outside by all means but I would be careful to leave the inside "au natural"
That was a cool restoration!!!I just got a Conn Director Cornet in the mail today. It's like almost new but I will be doing a deep clean on it just the same. It's like the one I got when I started band in in elementary school a loooong time ago. I'm very excited!
God bless her heart Grandma must have missed out on a lot of things she should have told you to keep it real that way you get real feedback anyone that doesn't understand that you need to break free from and maybe try again later
Given your willingness to do the work and the fact that a professional restoration would have cost way more than the value of the instrument, I think this came out OK. If you had only come to me before starting, I would have advised you to compromise by paying a pro to remove the dents, because those did not come out looking very good. Also, for next time: Home Depot sells round oak dowels. Starting with one of those would have made it easier to fabricate the inserts for the buttons.
Since this is your instrument, I don’t care what you do with it. A great experiment and experience. Don’t worry about the comments that is saying that you “destroyed” that cornet. The cornet was already trashed by its previous owner, and isn’t even worth to fix it up by a pro. So... a 40$ instrument repair experience.
Just wait until you have a brace pop loose and you have to solder it, all your rustoleum will be burned black around your solder work. There's a good reason us pro repair technicians don't use paint. Colored lacquer on those cheap horns all over the auction site are just as bad, you can't resolder them without ruining the lacquer.
This was an amazing process you have walked us through. Although I would probably never “sand” my instruments, I would like to know if the spray paint stuck well. Does it scratch easy? Does it affect the sound of the instrument? I genuinely would like to know if I want to take on a project as you have presented. All in all this was a risky but amazing transformation. SPECTACULAR JOB!
I have an abandoned Getzen SuperDeluxe Tone Balanced trombone from the 50's. I'm a percussionist but love trombones and absolutely adore the looks of this thing. The finish was destroyed by something that even began eating away at the metal, leaving dark pits in the metal. I ended up removing the entire original lacquer coat, polished it and gave it a brand new coat of lacquer. Unfortunately, there are imperfections I don't know how to deal with, there's dents I can't do anything about and I have no case.
I own an early Pre 1920's King Trumpet that my grandfather's parents bought him used to play in High school. Then my mother played it in school then passed down to me. Its been thru a lot over the years, and I sent it with a Music professor neighbor of mine to Portland Ore to have some of the soldering done. My mistake was I sent the trumpet with the case and all the spare slides and mouthpieces in it. well some how they were stolen and I never got them back. the case is showing it age and ware. but I still have it in the closet.
Gamer Cookie most people won’t read that. So at least the few people quickly scrolling through will at least see this. The disclaimer should’ve been in the video instead
@@jamies9378 how fucking stupid are you? When you type a comment it's literally right above the top comment? Anyways if they don't feel like reading the top comment, why bother at all.
A few dollars spent at a reputable repair shop and it would have been repaired properly and it would be as good as new. As it is now you have a cornet to hang on the wall as decoration. Spray painting a cornet in your back yard? Now I have seen it all.
You don't spend five hundred dollars to refurbish a horn that was never worth that much. And he clearly demonstrated that he CAN play the horn, so you're wrong about that, too. For forty bucks and the lulz, he came out just fine without your "expertise".
@@MarkZickefoose you are of course correct. Spending $500 would have been a waste of his money. I think the repair shop either saw him coming, didn't want the job, or thought to restore it to show room quality. However, as a retired band director in the public schools for more years than I want to remember, I have never seen a shop that would have gouged him like that. But I understand he had fun doing the repair on his own even though I believe the lead pipe still leaks and the kinks will distort the tone quality. Since he is not part of a band and just doing this on his own, I wish him well.
I just rubbed out 2 scarry dents on a flea market cornet. it was easy, I used the corner of a wood counter top. Wish you would have put the time into working the dents instead of the paint job. The lacquer was way better than the paint.
@@JohnCooperWilliam Yeah it's literally what they are. There are pistons, and you have the valve caps holding them into the casing, and the finger buttons screwed into the top
Water in the freezer...Ah..NO...Bearings down the lead pipe...Ah..No...You said the bell couldn't be fixed...Thats the easy part...Paint on brass will flatten the sound...You made this task more difficult then it had to be...If you take any horn to a repair shop it's cash n grab...Brass is very pliable and can be done with alot of slow and patient work..
Just wondering you guys that are horrified at how Matt restored the instrument, would you have had it restored professionally? I would if it had some sentimental value - but not otherwise.
I thought it looks great,and it works now! I have an ooold Ukrainian cornet that sounds slightly better than yours did originally. $35 for the horn, and if I fancy it up, a lifetime of satisfied memory! I'll never be a good cornet player, but I'll certainly enjoy playing it
I'm glad that the horn was a piece of crap to begin with. It was restorable, but definitely not worth $500. Trying to use ice to get rid of lead pipe dents? OK, I guess. NOT! Definitely a video on how NOT to repair a quality instrument, or any instrument, for that matter!
There is a plan on the internet for a reverse hammer that with those steel ball you can get those dents out of your cornet’s lead pipe. As well instructions to use
Damn, just started playing trumpet. When he was cleaning the whole trumpet in the bathtub (I never have yet.) I hope he had a towel or rag under there... 3:31
Man, straightening the bad kink on the straight pipe would have been so simple with a wooden dowell of the appropriate diameter !! I realize it's not a high price cornet, but painting it fake copper ?? Really ? Now it looks like a cheap kid's plastic horn ! Sorry, man, I don't want to be nasty to you, but gosh !
So my one question from this is, since you spray painted the cornet, how does the horn respond to heat (perhaps in a marching application), or when you need to bathe the instrument to clean it. Wouldn’t it make the paint come off?
When your playing the repaired sample track over your background music under a voice over track, nothing can be comprehended in the layers of sound. We'll give you an E for effort though.
thats a myth. he should not have sanded it though. But the difference the paint has is less than the human ear can detect. some smart guys did the tests
As a brass player, looking at the damages just hurt....... got this old Henri Selmer K-modified Trumpet..... and so I know older trumpets are so beautiful....
It's a shame you ruined the instrument as you did. You could easily have removed all of the dents until most of them were close to invisible, including the ones on the tubing and slide tubes, and also on the bell. The bell is perhaps the easiest to repair because it only takes a few of the properly shaped pieces of hardwoods that fit the curvature of the bell. Many instrument repair specialists do use a series of ball bearings to repair dents in tight spaces on wind and brass instruments for dent removal. They will insert the correct and proper size ball bearing that is the same ID as the damaged tube, and then force slightly smaller bearings through the tube with a press. It is something done slowly and with deliberation that takes patience and time. A greater majority of them will employ the use of the steel ball bearings and the most powerful magnet they can use that won't damage the brass. The bearing is inserted into the tube. Then a smooth medium weight cloth is placed over the tubing with the magnet on the outside. The magnet is dragged across the dents repeatedly. The combination of steel bearing and powerful magnet begins to slowly reshape the tubing to its former round shape, thus restoring it. You destroyed the coronet by spray painting it, instead of removing the varnish finish and refinishing it. The look you achieved is hideous, and the paint likely destroyed the resonance of the horn. Terrible job. You should have left well enough alone and found someone knowledgeable enough to do a proper restoration and repair. Why you even bothered I don't know. I used to own and play a coronet... I am shocked and troubled at how you destroyed an instrument that was perfectly serviceable and could have been properly repaired. I did NOT finish watching your video and won't return. What you did was to destroy the instrument, NOT restore or repair it...
Nice job!! Don't let these morons bother you, Reynolds made crap instruments anyway so making it look nice for you is just fine! A Bach Stradivarius would be a different story though...peace dude!
Former brass player, and professional metal worker for 35 years. This really hurts as i was looking for videos on horn restoration. Even considering making my own professional quality horns. This is painful to watch.
I think it was great up until the painting of the instrument. The trumpet family is already way tinny sounding, probably hadls the same sound as a voice through a can on a string.
I just recently found a trumpet that I bought that is from the 30s from what I can tell the brand isn’t even around anymore and everything is cork the spit valves everything the keypads but it’s all still there but I need to find some parts for it if anyone knows anything about the Abbott brand instruments from Czechoslovakian All I know about is that it is pre-World War II
You just did a liposuction and facelift on a terminally ill patient. This instrument at its best worth around $50.00. Next time get involved in something that you are actually familiar with.
The more use, the faster it wears off. However, I can say that I used this same method to spray paint steel wheels on my car, and the paint lasted about a year and a half before showing signs of damage. And that was probably 20,000 miles of driving!
While I understand that this cornet was not repaired in a "professional" manner, that wasn't the point of this video. Before making the video I took the cornet in to an instrument repair shop and I was quoted a price of $500 for the cleaning, parts, and labor to repair the cornet to a professional quality. I didn't want to spend that much on an instrument that I can't even play, so I looked at videos on how to repair it to at least a playable condition. The spare parts and labor cost me around $30, and the spray paint and wood keys were just to give the instrument a personalized feel.
While I realize this process/video are appalling to some, I'm actually quite pleased with how it turned out! The cornet is actually playable now (it wasn't before) and I have greatly enjoyed learning how to play a brass instrument!
You're right. Appalling.
I am not appalled. You did it your way and you are pleased with the results. That is all that counts.I do suggest using wood pieces or thick cardboard to protect threads on buttons next time. Same with pliers on tubing. Several layers of electrical tape might prevent most scratches. Other than that, thanks for sharing.
these cornets are chinese sold by jinan lauren and are manufactured with unstamped bells for at least 32 different dealers in GB. they are a distinctive design.just look on ebay. direct from china they were $24 dollars US. inc. case mothpiece and a pair of white gloves.Cheapest in GB under 100 quid. To play to A440 in tune needs 8-10 mm off main tuning slide for dennis wick mouthpieces. but ideal for absolute learners. look on alibaba.com
@@peterrichardson7837 Reynolds is an old, established brand, widely used for a long time, not Chinese. Not sure when they were bought out.
You didn't want to spend money on an instrument that you couldn't play so you fixed it yourself and proceeded to learn how to play. Abominable.
as a brass player, this killed me a little bit
ruclips.net/video/ZDdXd0AMKf8/видео.html what do you think about that restoration? ;)
Yeah, me to - and then I started thinking about the stories I've heard at master classes and the best one was that of Pat Metheny somewhere in the old soviet bloc post collapse. The entire town was animated and fascinated with Metheny's playing. Sometimes a crappy salvage honors the instrument & owner like Metheny honored that poor Russian whose guitar he had to play. Just as long as he doesn't hit women, beat children and kick dogs, he is alright in my book - just don't touch MY instruments!
A old horn got a new life
I have not seen very many restorations done this bad. Sure it is a good way to make a wall hanger, but this cornet is far worse that when it started. I could have restored that to near mint for about $140 or sold you a different near excellent one for about $75. To fix it now, you would have to undo all that mess. I am guessing about $400. Please use the right tools or let someone else do it.
@@elowcow Looks like shit.
I just came into possession of a 1910 Boston cornet that's been in the family its entire life. Suffice to say I will NOT be going the Rustoleum route with it.
I got to play a Boston rotary Eb a few years back - probably a 1860's vintage. Their line was superb!
That's a badass cornet. Worth doing the right thing with it.
Bruce MacMahon I actually came across a 1910 Trombone from H.N. White and I’m trying to restore it but sadly it’s expensive!!
Half my instruments ive bought and fixed up myself. It feels good to own things you made or fixed up
Not even a brass player, but this video still hurts my soul.
I’m a trumpet player myself and I definitely prefer nice shiny silver, so when you said you were spray painting it I about had a heart attack. But damn I do really like how it turned out. I wish for your sake it was a better horn but I personally think you did a great job despite what other people in the comments are saying
But please don’t use blue juice... literally anything else. I personally recommend T2 which you can find on amazon from Switzerland. It’s incredible
QuantumNutt, t2 is it? No brand name? Just t2?
@@glasslicker2829 www.amazon.com/T2-Trumpets-cornets-Trumpet-maintena/dp/B00KLVX4OW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MNV7VM70VQHG&dchild=1&keywords=t2+valve+oil&qid=1598903451&sprefix=t2+valv%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1
What’s wrong with Blue Juice, one of the most popular brass instrument lubricants on the market?
The lead pipe is the most important part of the instrument affecting tuning. I think most shops would just replace one bent that badly for about $50. You can even order your own and solder it on if you want the experience. Most trumpets/cornets are coated with "Triple Plate" which is not much different from a coat of paint. I know it was a lot of work masking and painting it. You might consider stirpping it down to bare metal and using a lighter coat of paint if you don't like the sound. A non-dented lead pipe will make a tremendous amount of difference in how it plays though.
We need more content like this. Sure, he didn't perfectly restore the cornet to its original form, but he made it playable and it looks amazing, without using fancy tools
LOL. The schlock artists' guide to instrument repair.
I love it. Been there myself. :)
Neato! That axe would be a blast to play in any group. Nice!
this horn is the same as the F E OLDS SPECIAL they were a deluxe student model built to professional grade standards. they sold new for about $250-$295. they were heavy wall tubing making them more dent resistant.. they are of good enough quality many cornet players in my band program played them from beginner band all the way thru high school . i began band in 1964 but because i was 1st cornet i traded it in on a new trumpet for my senior year when i earned the 1st chair soloist spot. i still play in a community band today and i have enjoyed every minute of it.. if it were mine i would have has the leadpipe fixed by a pro repairman or got a better one off ebay. thanks for saving this classic horn.
I know people are saying you messed it up. But looks like you had a good time and it looks nice to me
Excellent job !!! I purchased a Jupiter Baritone from a pawn shop for $50...Valves did not work...I took it home,,let the valves SOAK in valve oil...two days later, all valves operated just fine....Horn is valued $510 on line from Jupiter...great beginner baritone..I gave it to a local school band....
Jeez, these comments...chill out people, context from his video alone should tell you that he knows he's not a pro instrument repair tech and that his goal wasn't to perfectly restore and mod this horn. Just to make it playable and look cool. Which I'd say he achieved! Plus he did a good job with his methods. Better then doing a sloppy job and then just nailing it to the wall!
As a musician, I recognize that we set the bar high when we consider our instrument and most other instruments. But as a non-musician, or a learner - and as a novice to the brass 'restoration' world (which this definitely is NOT - you did a SPECTACULAR JOB!
Taking an instrument that has been neglected and bringing it back to the original purpose - making music and making the player proud - is enough in and of itself. Yes you destroyed the instrument in the process, you turned it from neglected to utterly scarred - but have you seen Willie Nelson's guitar? The classical with the soundboard so scratched it has a hole where his pick struck the soundboard? He went into a burning building to grab that guitar and plays it every time he is on stage. Haters are gonna hate, Brass experts are cringing, but we who make music have to admire the spirit of your experience, not the trauma we experienced watching it unfold.
I applaud you. And for those who think damaging an instrument is bad - consider this: Pat Metheny played jazz on an old, poorly set up guitar in a remote town while touring the world. His take was "the action was so high I didn't know if I could really play it - or how it would sound, but they hosted me, I didn't have to go and the whole town gathered to hear me play with their band. It was the worst guitar I've ever played but it was an experience we all will remember!"
That is musicianship! So even a scarred, dented, dusty, neglected instrument when returned to a minimal playing state is something to appreciate - not to denigrate either instrument or owner.
I would have removed the laquer first
I love brass instruments and play many of them. I admire your approach even if it's not considered the most appropriate in the trade. Truth be told, the dents in the bell could probably be easily removed by an experienced tech. Usually a mandril is involved, as well as a "rolling pin" of sorts. I would highly recommend a rawhide mallet for any potential future restorations. They're designed not to damage brass. Also, a towel in the vice could potentially help prevent crushing brass threads, but don't quote me on that.
I would never paint a brass instrument! 🙀🙀🙀
Thing was already destroyed and unplayable should he have tossed it into the trash? I'll make sure to find a cheap tuba and spray paint that thing to the point it looks more like NYC subway graffiti now I know there are music snobs
I've played trumpet for 12 years by now. Just bought an old, cheap yet well playing trumpet with some serious denst. Im gonna strip the laquer, fix the denst and paint it in all sorts of colors. Its gonna be my new party gig trumpet
@@Newberntrains it wasn't destroyed. Not even close. I have local schools that have instruments that are that old and often come in to the shop in this condition. They're fairly easily put back into play condition as long as an obsolete part isn't missing or broken (obsolete meaning a part you can no longer source anywhere). Trumpet and cornet parts are not just universal, the braces on one brand won't just fit another brand, nor will the valve pistons or valve guides... they're like car parts in that respect, you have to have the right parts for the brand and model of instrument you are working on. SOME things, like a finger hook, can be made as "universal" parts and can be made to work on a variety of instruments, but by and large, that's not the case.
Thanks! Very helpful for exactly what I'm trying to do. Also gave me ideas about things I hadn't even thought about.
In the gun world, this is what we call a “Bubba”. And don’t think for a second that’s a compliment.
Paint remover or acid tone will remove the lacquer. Steel wool can be used to scratch it just rough for the paint to stick.
You got some harsh comments here, and I don't want to add more. But you've made a dogs dinner out of an old cornet, that with a little thought could have been given a new lease of life fairly cheaply.
FLUX is to clean the metals to allow the solder to adhere. The solder is sucked into the joint due to CAPILLARY ACTION NOT THE FLUX! Damn you sure destroyed that horn!
Considering it was already destroyed....
naysayers, at best!! I loved this video, simple, demonstrates a will to succeed. Keep going dude I see a rehabbed guitar in your future, as well as many more ideas for low budget repairs............great job looks good!!
Lol! I'm a former brass player, Bb Cornet; There are millions of quality instruments lying in folk's attics/garages, I think we can stand to lose a beaten up cornet to someone enjoying himself having a go at "restoration". None of us wouldve done this, esp. blowing into it *before* you clean it, yuk! That's as hygienic as licking a cat's bum. Always heat metal before you model it back into shape. Yes, you fully destroyed a repairable cornet but it could easily have ended up at the scrapyard being recycled so at least you learned (a bit) & had some fun...just please don't 'restore' anything else vintage with a serial number.
Good point. I was really mad but you're correct. Though I can't shake that bad feeling off. What a waste! :(
@@davidmunguia1020 I really wouldn't worry about it - Millions of perfectly good brass instruments inc brand names with serial numbers were melted down over the last 20yrs as UK schools got rid of their Music Depts. and brought in Unisex Toilets. You bought it, you had every right to do whatever the hell you wanted even if you'd filled it with concrete and used it as a doorstop that would've been your right. As a kid, and a budding musician, my Gran let me blow a brass horn on the wall 'to wake up her B&B Guests'. LOL! Of course there were no guests there at the time, but I didn't know that : )
I think the collector's value might have been ruined, but going from unplayable to playable doesn't sound very "destroyed" to me.
@@JustClaude13 'Destroyed' in the sense that you could repair & restore an instrument not just to "playable condition", achieved in the loosest sense here, no serious player would do anything more than call in the cows with the cornet as is - so yes, I'd call that creatively ruined or destroyed - but he had fun so what's the big deal. I'm not criticising his Project - he paid for it, he can do what he likes, but, if we took the same view on every damaged piece of Edwardian Jewellery that someone decided to test a hammer on rather than restoring it, we'd lose priceles examples of Wartime Jewellery the Charity Shop/Boot Sale buyer couldn't afford to personally repair, but someone else could've done.
@@goldbunny1973
Of course, it's not exactly Edwardian fine jewelry. It's apparently a '60s vintage Reynolds Medalist, which is easily available in good condition for around $200-250. In its original condition, I doubt that his cornet was worth more than fixing to a wall plaque.
For quite a few years I played an unlacquered brass tuba. I needed to polish it regularly and only ever played it with white gloves. But the sound was magnificent.
Basically any surface coating alters the way that moisture clings and this changes the tone. Paint the outside by all means but I would be careful to leave the inside "au natural"
Did you only play the instrument while wearing gloves due to concerns about brass or lead poisoning?
Did you only play the instrument while wearing gloves due to concerns about brass or lead poisoning?
Did you only play the instrument while wearing gloves due to concerns about brass or lead poisoning?
That was a cool restoration!!!I just got a Conn Director Cornet in the mail today. It's like almost new but I will be doing a deep clean on it just the same. It's like the one I got when I started band in in elementary school a loooong time ago. I'm very excited!
My Grandma always said this: If you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all...
Sounds like something nazis suppressing criticism would say
God bless her heart Grandma must have missed out on a lot of things she should have told you to keep it real that way you get real feedback anyone that doesn't understand that you need to break free from and maybe try again later
Given your willingness to do the work and the fact that a professional restoration would have cost way more than the value of the instrument, I think this came out OK. If you had only come to me before starting, I would have advised you to compromise by paying a pro to remove the dents, because those did not come out looking very good. Also, for next time: Home Depot sells round oak dowels. Starting with one of those would have made it easier to fabricate the inserts for the buttons.
About $100 to a person who knew what to do would make this horn look good and play well. As it is, this looks ghastly. GHASTLY!
I thought I heard "Take 5" during this. 🙂 One of my late fathers favourites.. but by Dave Brubeck Quartet. 👍👍👍
As someone who plays Cornet I really appreciate you for doing this! I'm in band going into junior marching band!
Since this is your instrument, I don’t care what you do with it. A great experiment and experience. Don’t worry about the comments that is saying that you “destroyed” that cornet. The cornet was already trashed by its previous owner, and isn’t even worth to fix it up by a pro. So... a 40$ instrument repair experience.
Just wait until you have a brace pop loose and you have to solder it, all your rustoleum will be burned black around your solder work. There's a good reason us pro repair technicians don't use paint. Colored lacquer on those cheap horns all over the auction site are just as bad, you can't resolder them without ruining the lacquer.
If this guy fails in the musical instrument restoration gig,he can always fall back on his graffiti art.
This was an amazing process you have walked us through. Although I would probably never “sand” my instruments, I would like to know if the spray paint stuck well. Does it scratch easy? Does it affect the sound of the instrument? I genuinely would like to know if I want to take on a project as you have presented. All in all this was a risky but amazing transformation. SPECTACULAR JOB!
I have an abandoned Getzen SuperDeluxe Tone Balanced trombone from the 50's. I'm a percussionist but love trombones and absolutely adore the looks of this thing. The finish was destroyed by something that even began eating away at the metal, leaving dark pits in the metal.
I ended up removing the entire original lacquer coat, polished it and gave it a brand new coat of lacquer.
Unfortunately, there are imperfections I don't know how to deal with, there's dents I can't do anything about and I have no case.
I own an early Pre 1920's King Trumpet that my grandfather's parents bought him used to play in High school. Then my mother played it in school then passed down to me. Its been thru a lot over the years, and I sent it with a Music professor neighbor of mine to Portland Ore to have some of the soldering done. My mistake was I sent the trumpet with the case and all the spare slides and mouthpieces in it. well some how they were stolen and I never got them back. the case is showing it age and ware. but I still have it in the closet.
Should have been titled how to make a $40 dollar cornet a $5 cornet. This was tragic.
Wow you’re really good at making videos
As a pro horn repair tech for 40 years, please don't follow any ad vice given here.
exactly!
Agreed
Don't forget to mention you can't read the top fucking comment
Gamer Cookie most people won’t read that. So at least the few people quickly scrolling through will at least see this. The disclaimer should’ve been in the video instead
@@jamies9378 how fucking stupid are you? When you type a comment it's literally right above the top comment? Anyways if they don't feel like reading the top comment, why bother at all.
A few dollars spent at a reputable repair shop and it would have been repaired properly and it would be as good as new. As it is now you have a cornet to hang on the wall as decoration. Spray painting a cornet in your back yard? Now I have seen it all.
You don't spend five hundred dollars to refurbish a horn that was never worth that much. And he clearly demonstrated that he CAN play the horn, so you're wrong about that, too. For forty bucks and the lulz, he came out just fine without your "expertise".
@@MarkZickefoose you are of course correct. Spending $500 would have been a waste of his money. I think the repair shop either saw him coming, didn't want the job, or thought to restore it to show room quality. However, as a retired band director in the public schools for more years than I want to remember, I have never seen a shop that would have gouged him like that. But I understand he had fun doing the repair on his own even though I believe the lead pipe still leaks and the kinks will distort the tone quality. Since he is not part of a band and just doing this on his own, I wish him well.
I just rubbed out 2 scarry dents on a flea market cornet. it was easy, I used the corner of a wood counter top. Wish you would have put the time into working the dents instead of the paint job. The lacquer was way better than the paint.
How are you playing now? Hopefully you continued on it.
“The buttons” - I cringed quite a bit
Omg same
Yes me too as a trumpet player I cringe when my family says "WhAt ArE tHe BuTtOnS fOr
They actually are called finger buttons. They screw onto the valve stems which screw onto the valve.
@@JohnCooperWilliam Yeah it's literally what they are. There are pistons, and you have the valve caps holding them into the casing, and the finger buttons screwed into the top
but that’s what they are lmao
You should put a few coats of clear lacquer on that to make it really pop......looks good though....
Water in the freezer...Ah..NO...Bearings down the lead pipe...Ah..No...You said the bell couldn't be fixed...Thats the easy part...Paint on brass will flatten the sound...You made this task more difficult then it had to be...If you take any horn to a repair shop it's cash n grab...Brass is very pliable and can be done with alot of slow and patient work..
Just wondering you guys that are horrified at how Matt restored the instrument, would you have had it restored professionally? I would if it had some sentimental value - but not otherwise.
I thought it looks great,and it works now! I have an ooold Ukrainian cornet that sounds slightly better than yours did originally. $35 for the horn, and if I fancy it up, a lifetime of satisfied memory! I'll never be a good cornet player, but I'll certainly enjoy playing it
That’s a sweet old horn. Bravo. You are a artisan .
I'm glad that the horn was a piece of crap to begin with. It was restorable, but definitely not worth $500. Trying to use ice to get rid of lead pipe dents? OK, I guess. NOT! Definitely a video on how NOT to repair a quality instrument, or any instrument, for that matter!
As a British brass bander, the way you said 'buttons' really hurt me inside
The valve trombone for sale to a knowledgeable brasswinds aficionado?
There is a plan on the internet for a reverse hammer that with those steel ball you can get those dents out of your cornet’s lead pipe. As well instructions to use
Damn, just started playing trumpet. When he was cleaning the whole trumpet in the bathtub (I never have yet.) I hope he had a towel or rag under there... 3:31
He was already going to sand it so he didn't need a towel
This video hurt my soul.
Man, straightening the bad kink on the straight pipe would have been so simple with a wooden dowell of the appropriate diameter !!
I realize it's not a high price cornet, but painting it fake copper ?? Really ? Now it looks like a cheap kid's plastic horn !
Sorry, man, I don't want to be nasty to you, but gosh !
and sounds like one
Same for me except I got a Conn 18h tenor trombone and I need to clean it up too
So my one question from this is, since you spray painted the cornet, how does the horn respond to heat (perhaps in a marching application), or when you need to bathe the instrument to clean it. Wouldn’t it make the paint come off?
When your playing the repaired sample track over your background music under a voice over track, nothing can be comprehended in the layers of sound. We'll give you an E for effort though.
NO! dont spray paint it! it will ruin the sound of the instrument!
FULLY AGREE!!!
Not just the sound, but I hate to say this but it looks like a dogs dinner. Get that paint OFF.
thats a myth. he should not have sanded it though. But the difference the paint has is less than the human ear can detect. some smart guys did the tests
The spray paint is the least worry on this horn. The giant kinks in the lead pipe negate any tonal production any paint could inhibit
I would think that eventually the spray paint would vibrate off
すごい！こういう動画大好きです！頑張ってください！
As a brass player, looking at the damages just hurt....... got this old Henri Selmer K-modified Trumpet..... and so I know older trumpets are so beautiful....
Looked better before you screwed it up...
Who knew mother of pear was metal wow 😉
It's a shame you ruined the instrument as you did. You could easily have removed all of the dents until most of them were close to invisible, including the ones on the tubing and slide tubes, and also on the bell. The bell is perhaps the easiest to repair because it only takes a few of the properly shaped pieces of hardwoods that fit the curvature of the bell. Many instrument repair specialists do use a series of ball bearings to repair dents in tight spaces on wind and brass instruments for dent removal. They will insert the correct and proper size ball bearing that is the same ID as the damaged tube, and then force slightly smaller bearings through the tube with a press. It is something done slowly and with deliberation that takes patience and time. A greater majority of them will employ the use of the steel ball bearings and the most powerful magnet they can use that won't damage the brass. The bearing is inserted into the tube. Then a smooth medium weight cloth is placed over the tubing with the magnet on the outside. The magnet is dragged across the dents repeatedly. The combination of steel bearing and powerful magnet begins to slowly reshape the tubing to its former round shape, thus restoring it.
You destroyed the coronet by spray painting it, instead of removing the varnish finish and refinishing it. The look you achieved is hideous, and the paint likely destroyed the resonance of the horn. Terrible job. You should have left well enough alone and found someone knowledgeable enough to do a proper restoration and repair. Why you even bothered I don't know. I used to own and play a coronet... I am shocked and troubled at how you destroyed an instrument that was perfectly serviceable and could have been properly repaired. I did NOT finish watching your video and won't return. What you did was to destroy the instrument, NOT restore or repair it...
I have read your comment. But there are very cheap ways of undenting everything.
You look weird playing it but nice job on the repair. I’m not sure about wooden buttons though, they look kind of meh to me.
Do nothing this guy says do in repairing a nice instrument.
Nice job!! Don't let these morons bother you, Reynolds made crap instruments anyway so making it look nice for you is just fine! A Bach Stradivarius would be a different story though...peace dude!
The mouthpipe is dead, is there a garbage can anywhere near by?
I want more info on that wang-horn at 6:17...
6:17 wtf is that
Could probably have done most of that masking work with aluminum foil in minutes.
Painted dents look worse. You could have used bondo at that point!
"Flea Market Cornet Repair and Restoration!" or "how to completely fuck up a 50 year old cornet "..... :/
I love Shakespeare Pizza lol
Former brass player, and professional metal worker for 35 years. This really hurts as i was looking for videos on horn restoration. Even considering making my own professional quality horns.
This is painful to watch.
I think it was great up until the painting of the instrument. The trumpet family is already way tinny sounding, probably hadls the same sound as a voice through a can on a string.
There' a guy with a video on youtube who fixes a smashed bell so that it looks like new.
I just recently found a trumpet that I bought that is from the 30s from what I can tell the brand isn’t even around anymore and everything is cork the spit valves everything the keypads but it’s all still there but I need to find some parts for it if anyone knows anything about the Abbott brand instruments from Czechoslovakian All I know about is that it is pre-World War II
You just did a liposuction and facelift on a terminally ill patient. This instrument at its best worth around $50.00. Next time get involved in something that you are actually familiar with.
An expert would have fixed this instrument perfectly for very little
I think if the title changed from "restoration" to "customization" a lot less people would be so angry
Lol..I just saw a Reynolds Cornet posted on Facebook Marketplace for $1000! :D yeah, no.
Why can't I not order parts at a music store anymore without giving all my personal information
sacrilege
The hunk that came out of the cornet was nothing, after not cleaning my trumpet for 2 months I had like twice the crap in my tub
Nice, thanks, good made, BUT: please - take gloves !!!
Why not just strip off the existing finish and let the horn develop a patina?
Ima cornet player
You could have repaired the dents properly it would have looked and sounded much better
rather a waste of time doing a bad job
😭
hey! thats not a restoration. this hurts! lol
He forgot the 3rd valve spit key pad😂. It looks great though really nice job
Whyyy?
Sharappppppp
how long does the spray paint last?
The more use, the faster it wears off. However, I can say that I used this same method to spray paint steel wheels on my car, and the paint lasted about a year and a half before showing signs of damage. And that was probably 20,000 miles of driving!
@@mattbeach8641 I tried to brush my old trumpet bell and it looks like crap. I was hoping to make it look nice at least.
I was cringing as you took the pliers to the lead pipe. Nooooo!
You didn’t fix anything. It probably plays worse now
Wrong.