[Checklist in description] Not sure what to look for when you're shopping for a used instrument? Don't know what's an easy fix, and what's a potential money pit? This video will help you learn a little more about how to properly assess a used horn.
I've found some amazing deals on used instruments over the years, and some of the great yard sale finds I made helped inspired me to open my own shop. With all of the online sales channels these days and so much more price transparency (a good thing!) it's a little harder to find the incredible bargains, but there are some great used horns out there that are well worth the money. Keep in mind that some deals may be too good to be true, like the $280 "Bach Stradivarius" from this video: • Is a $280 New Bach Str...
1:58 1) Of course your best bet is to find a reputable store that will accurately describe the instrument for sale, and knows what to look for in terms of damage. At ACB we take great pride in making sure you know what you're buying so you won't feel like you need to take advantage of our return policy: www.austincust...
2:44 2) The big thing to look out for is redrot (check out this video for an in-depth discussion: • ACB Mini-Lesson 66 (pa... ). Many instruments have redrot, primarily in the leadpipe or tuning slide. It's an irreversible process that will eventually lead to a small hole in the tubing, at which point you'll need to patch or replace the part. That process can take years, though, so a small spot of redrot or two isn't necessarily a deal-breaker. Just plan on eventually needing to spend more money on repairs. Keeping your horn clean is essential in preventing redrot (my favorite product is the Blowdry Brass system: www.austincust...)
3:14 3) Make sure all the valves and slides move. If you can, take out the tuning slide and look down the leadpipe. A really dirty leadpipe will make it harder to accurately assess the sound and feel of the trumpet.
3:25 4) Blow through the horn with the individual valve slides removed and the ports covered. You'll be able to get an idea of the valve compression. Note that one port will very easy to blow through, and the other should be nearly impossible to blow through when covered. If you hear a hissing sound, that valve has low compression. Low compression reduces the playability of the horn, although the overall sound might be quite nice! One of my favorite sounding horns has terrible compression, but the intonation issues and decreased endurance mean I never take it out on a gig.
3:50, 5:55 5) Are there any missing parts? Finger buttons, valve caps, water keys, slide stop mechanisms, braces, corks, etc. For some instruments it's easy to come by replacement parts. For others, it's nearly impossible, especially with a less common vintage instrument.
4:00 6) Check for any signs of repair work. This will often show up as "waviness" on a horn that otherwise looks like it's in great shape. When the brass is reshaped during repair, it will look a little different than the surrounding area and it won't be perfectly uniform. This isn't always a game changer, as MANY used horns have some amount of repair work and still play great. Often it can be a better value to repair a part vs installing a replacement.
4:37 7) How much should you pay? We can't put a valuation on an instrument we haven't seen, but there are some ways you can check to see if the horn you're looking at is being offered for a fair price. Check out the completed auctions on eBay to get an idea of what the market is like for that model. Check out the various trumpet sales groups on Facebook to see if anyone has a similar horn for sale. Craigslist is another great place to check for pricing. Be willing to negotiate! If a horn needs work, you'll need to factor that into the price you're willing to pay. If you're in KC, feel free to bring a horn into the shop and we can give you an idea of what it might be worth on the market.
6:30 8) Obviously, play some notes on the horn if you can! Even if it needs some work you'll still be able to get an idea of if it's worth the restoration work.
Happy hunting! I hope you find some treasures. We always have a ton of great pre-owned inventory in stock here at ACB and we'll be happy to work with you to find the right horn for you. You can check out our pre-owned B-flat trumpet selection here to get you started: www.austincust...
We always have lots of goodies available on our web store: www.austincust...
Austin Custom Brass is one of the world's premier brass pro shops. We routinely have hundreds of instruments in stock. If you're looking for something in particular please email us at info@austincustombrass.com or call 816-410-0826 today!
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7 сен 2024
