Broken solder joints happen when a trumpet is twisted or dropped, and can be fixed by straightening whatever is bent. This is done by heating the joint with a gas torch until it’s hot enough to melt the solder, but cool enough to prevent damage to the finish.
What are the most common trumpet repairs?
From stuck mouthpieces and sticking valves to broken solder joints and stuck slides, here are a few of the most common repairs for trumpets. Not exclusive to the trumpet, stuck mouthpieces are also experienced by trombonists, saxophonists, and pretty much any other brass musician whose instrument uses a mouthpiece.
What should I do if my trumpet doesn’t work?
If that doesn’t work, take your trumpet into the shop for valve work or a full replacement. Even if you come across replacement parts on sites like eBay or Craigslist, leave this repair to the professionals. Not only do they know exactly what they’re doing, but they have access to the right parts and tools.
How do you fix a leaking trumpet valve?
Usually the result of normal wear and tear, air that leaks out between the valve and casing can affect your trumpet’s response. To reduce air leakage, you can try using a heavier valve oil. If that doesn’t work, take your trumpet into the shop for valve work or a full replacement.
Can trumpet mouthpieces get stuck?
Not exclusive to the trumpet, stuck mouthpieces are also experienced by trombonists, saxophonists, and pretty much any other brass musician whose instrument uses a mouthpiece. Since mouthpiece shanks go from narrow to wide, it’s easy for them to get stuck over time.
How much does it cost to repair a trumpet?
Brass Repair Pricing Prices do NOT include parts.InstrumentGeneral ServiceOverhaul Student InstrumentsTrumpet or Cornet$60-$90$550Single Horn (3 Valves)$90-$125$1,065Double Horn (4 Valves)$60-$90$1,54014 more rows
How do you fix a dented trumpet?
2:437:26How To Remove Dents In Trumpet Bell Bows - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can do that either with a rawhide mallet or a dent hammer in general you use the dent hammer ifMoreYou can do that either with a rawhide mallet or a dent hammer in general you use the dent hammer if the debt ball is not underneath the dent.
How do you refurbish an old trumpet?
3:3712:40Flea Market Cornet Repair and Restoration! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst we take all the valves out because they have felt components that can't get wet then we removeMoreFirst we take all the valves out because they have felt components that can't get wet then we remove all the tuning slides in the mouthpiece. And dump them all in warm soapy water next.
How do you repair a brass trumpet?
0:313:01Repairing Brass Instruments - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWork brass instruments are made from really really thin gauges of metal they're really softMoreWork brass instruments are made from really really thin gauges of metal they're really soft accidents happen and things get crushed dented dinged we'll use different tools to push up the dents.
Do dents affect trumpet sound?
We get asked time and time again, whether the dents in an instrument will affect its sound or tone. While of course dents takes away from the cosmetic value of the instrument, the answer to brass instruments is generally no, but that does depend on the size of the dent and on the position of the dent.
How do you fix a dent in a brass instrument?
Traditionally, dents were removed from brass instruments using a steel ball threaded onto a rod. The steel rod and ball are inserted into the bore of the instrument up to the point of damage. Pressure is exerted downward on the instrument while the rod is held firmly in a vise.
How much is an old trumpet worth?
The good news is, used prices are low. Most YTR-2330s on eBay sell for between $300.00 and $500.00, but you can find good-condition instruments for as little as $200.00.
Can trumpets be repaired?
Fortunately, the trumpet is a fairly simple mechanism and the problems you'll run into are pretty universal. Experiencing problems with the trumpet and its various components is a normal part of owning the instrument, and many of the issues can quickly and easily be fixed by a qualified repair technician.
Is it OK to put water in a trumpet?
2:246:29How To Clean a Trumpet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAreas time to fill the sink. You want to make sure that the water isn't too cold or too hot you'llMoreAreas time to fill the sink. You want to make sure that the water isn't too cold or too hot you'll want to aim for deep warm water let the water fill until it submerges the trumpet fully.
How do you weld a trumpet?
1:297:02Soldering On Musical Instruments Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWay. You heat it up for a few seconds you can see when the solder melts. And then you click removeMoreWay. You heat it up for a few seconds you can see when the solder melts. And then you click remove the flame. And wipe it if you need to move the t-shirt material to a clean spot.
Can you get a trumpet refinished?
The instrument replating service is sometimes an option for refinishing your instrument. It is much less involved than an overhaul and is most often used on instruments that are in very good to excellent condition. It begins with a play test so that I have a baseline for that particular horn.
How do you fix a hole in brass?
0:011:30Brass Repair Made Easy. And Copper. Bronze. Aluminum. In ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd flux working on a piece of brass with a hole in it. This rod works at 350 degrees holds 20,000MoreAnd flux working on a piece of brass with a hole in it. This rod works at 350 degrees holds 20,000 psi watch your flux I'm putting the flux on right now I just dipped my rod into the flux.
How do you reshape a trumpet bell?
0:004:21How to Use Trumpet Bell Flare Mandrel Tool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey are slightly different in the taper of the flare in the diameter of the tubing. So if you put aMoreThey are slightly different in the taper of the flare in the diameter of the tubing. So if you put a trumpet on there there will be some wiggle to it.
How do you get a dent out of a horn?
Use the power of ice to remove dents in a horn. If you live in a cold climate, you know frozen pipes bursts. That is because water expands about 9% when it freezes. You can use that property to pop out dents and expand crushed tubing in brass instruments with a little luck.
How do you get a dent out of a French horn?
0:472:24Introduction To Dent Balls (Dent Removal Tool for Instruments)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the point of contact is in the middle. And that keeps the dent balls from doing any damage whenMoreIf the point of contact is in the middle. And that keeps the dent balls from doing any damage when they get the dents out that balls work best on tubing that is tapered it starts out at one size.
What is a reverse leadpipe trumpet?
It's something that comes up on advanced trumpets, but what does it actually mean? A reverse leadpipe is typically longer than a non-reverse leadpipe. The leadpipe slides into the tuning slide rather than the tuning slide sliding in to the leadpipe. This means that there is no narrowing of the tube, just expansion.
What is valve reconstruction?
Valve reconstruction makes your valve cylindrical in shape and fits perfectly in the valve housing so that your valve runs smoothly. The valves are then nickel-plated. You can also choose valve alignment, valve alignment ensures that the passages in the valve connect seamlessly to the valve pumps. This results in better control of the instrument.
Can you have your mouthpieces silver plated?
In addition to silver plating and lacquering your instrument, you can also have your mouthpieces silver- or gold plated. Contact us about the costs and possibilities. We can also make a plastic rim on the mouthpiece or a screw-on rim.
Your second valve will not go down
Have you ever had this happen? The count off begins “ONE, TWO, ONE TWO THREE FOUR”. And you discover your second valve won’t go down! It has happened to me and it is not a pretty sight. After the panic has subsided, you look down the page to see when you can rest and get it working again.
Stuck Trumpet Mouthpiece
Although this is much less a disaster than the first situation, it does mean that you can’t put your horn in the case when you leave the theater. A mouthpiece can get stuck because of many reasons.
Water Key Spring Broke
I don’t know how those things know when to break but it is always before a concert. Make sure you have a few rubber bands in your repair kit. If you are playing a Schilke or a Yamaha, it is a simple repair. Double up the rubber band and slip it down your tuning slide onto the water key.
You have trouble getting the inside of your mouthpiece really clean
Next time put some tooth paste on you mouthpiece cleaning brush when you clean it. Make sure that you wash it out completely before you put it in your horn. You don’t want any paste to get into your valves.
About Bruce Chidester
Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999.
Trumpet Overhaul
Trumpet Repair
- In addition to revising the trumpet, we also carry out repairs. Dent removal in bells happens here daily. Have you dropped or bumped your trumpet? Please visit us with your trumpet and we will have it repaired.
Trumpet Lacquering
- Do you have a lot of scratches on your trumpet and do you want to lacquer them? This is of course also possible with us. Please note, for the lacquering of the trumpet, the instrument must be undented In case we have to fix this, we have to calculate a surcharge for these actions. For lacquering your instrument you can choose from: high-gloss lacquer (colorless), a matt lacquer, …
Silver Plating Your Trumpet
- The same conditions apply to silver plating as for lacquering your trumpet. In addition to 'normal' silver plating, you can also opt for matt silver plating of the instrument.
Mouthpiece Adjustments
- In addition to silver plating and lacquering your instrument, you can also have your mouthpieces silver- or gold plated. Contact us about the costs and possibilities. We can also make a plastic rim on the mouthpiece or a screw-on rim.
Valve Reconstruction and Valve Alignment
- Valve reconstruction makes your valve cylindrical in shape and fits perfectly in the valve housing so that your valve runs smoothly. The valves are then nickel-plated. You can also choose valve alignment, valve alignment ensures that the passages in the valve connect seamlessly to the valve pumps. This results in better control of the instrument.
Supports and Stands
- If you need extra support while playing your trumpet, you can request us to develop a personalized support to promote your playing pleasure.
Modifications
- For your trumpet we can also make the following adjustments to your instrument: 1. Shorten main tuning pump 2. Install additional water valve 3. Install additional valve (on request) 4. Conversion from right-handed to left-handed (on request) 5. Make trumpet bell and mouthpiece tube interchangeable (including connectors, excluding silver plating or lacquer)
Modification Technique
- In tradition with innovation, development and improvement, the Adams Research Department discovered a revolutionary process to give brass wind instruments an absolute added value: the instrument modification or treatment. In the manufacture of copper instruments, stresses arise from forcing, bending and soldering. The alloy of the instrument is constantly under stress durin…