Rebuilding/Customizing my first trumpet...

[Kayin]

So, I've had to take some time off on my FlameProof project, due to health reasons, so I've been working on restoring my first trumpet, the one I started band with in 5th grade. That's a long time ago. In fact, the trumpet will be 21 in September.

First, I'll start with some pics of what it looked like before. I didn't take any befores, but you'll be able to see the damage immediately when I show the pics of the work I've done.

That established, let's start with an exploded schematic of what we're looking at here.

On my horn, 24 was missing, as were two pieces of 76 and the entire thing was dented, as well as the leadpipe (1 was ruined. The leadpipes of the YTR-2320 was designed for secure "slotting," or note placement, but it felt stuffy when you got more air than a beginner. Mine was especially bad. This was confirmed by three different technicians.

So, what's a guy to do?

First off, that leadpipe is GONE. I think I'll use it for sacrificial brass.

Now, for the rest of it...

There's the stripped valve cluster. The black is from burned epoxy lacquer during disassembly. If you can't work vented, work outside. Rule #1.

Various bits and bobs, as well as a slide cooling in a bowl of water and an outer slide tube I'm modifying.

Third valve slide and the bell, also damaged.

The first valve slide, rebuilt to accept a saddle on the top tube for tuning purposes. This was not in the original design spec for this model.

Another shot, showing the burned lacquer and solder that will have to be scraped.

Both slides reinstalled, checking alignment. This will be repeated throughout the process.

The first slide, freed of lacquer. That took a LOT of effort.

Valve cluster, partially cleaned up.

When all else fails, kill the lacquer with fire. It's HIGHLY chemical resistant (more on that in a moment) but the fire burned it to the point where two more days with superfine steel wool removed it. Yeah, two more.

Remember I mentioned alignment? The fire warped the soft solder connections, requiring me to spend two hours getting them back into line. But I did. Persistence and patience.

More of the fire damage to lacquer and the valve slides. This is all fixable, not too difficult but it LOOKS like hell.

The trumpet bell, with the lacquer partially burned off. The bell also had the fortunate side effect of being annealed by the process. Two birds with one frog.

That's where the pics stop for now, but rest assured I have more progress I need to shoot tomorrow. The valve cluster will be almost unrecognizable, I promise...

[SgtM]

Sticking your horn in a fire? That's some balls! I would love to have my Yamaha reworked including a new lead pipe (larger bore), and silver.

+rep

[Kayin]

New leadpipe is simple. Silver, that's dependent.

What model Yammie you got?

[SgtM]

I'll have to check it. I've had it since 1990 though. I just had a thought. You could have angled the bell up like Dizzy! Or, now that all the laquer is stripped, fuse in a mouthpiece
like Wynton.

One thing I would love to get my hands on though is a 2 valve G bugle. Sexy goodness.

[x88x]

Wow, again with the brass modding. This will definitely be worth watching.

The middle tuning slide seems to get dented a lot. I had that exact same dent on my trumpet I had in high school.

[Kayin]

A lot cleaner, no? Also, you can see the heavy top caps I got from Mouthpiece Express. Until I can turn my own, they're a great alternative.

What's that by the first valve slide? Trumpets don't have that?

A closer look...

Something strange on the bell tail...

That's where my left thumb rested. Acidic sweat, it's a major problem in brasses. This horn may get satin gold on the valve body.

It's a self-supporting tuning bell! First of their kind, I designed it myself. Not quite done, but it's getting there...

No braces, but it stays where it's supposed to-without set screws!

More when I get some more brass-I need to do some MAJOR mods to this yet.

[x88x]

Nicely done. (Your images are links though, not embedded.)

[Kayin]

Fixed, bro.

[Kayin]

So, more work on the horn. This time has serious chemical work, do not attempt this at home unless like me you carry a Hazmat Class C or better certification. Or a chemistry degree.

I put a patina on the horn to age the brass, to approximate seawater. The horn was tough tough brass, though, so how to do this?

The formula is this: a paste of table salt and tap water (those minerals are important here) is dolloped onto the valve body exterior. None in slide tubes, none in valve casings, none on slide surfaces. This is followed by a liberal spray of methylene chloride to accelerate the process. And how did it turn out?

And, the old main slide. It's got red rot (as you can see,) a condition caused by spot dezincification of brass. Brass is more corrosion resistant than copper, so areas with red rot tend to corrode faster. This main slide is not reuseable. So, I salvaged off the slide legs and I'll find something to do with the crook.

More parts are on the way, more insane homemade chemistry, and I swear to you you've never seen finger buttons like the ones I have planned for this. Stay tuned!

[x88x]

Nice aging effect on those valves.