Other Services
One of Will’s passions is bringing dead trumpets back to life!
This process can often be achieved by simple cleaning and valve alignment, but can involve replacing, re-building or re-positioning parts.
Once an instrument’s playing issues have been addressed it usually plays at least as well as it did when new, and many players are relieved that they don’t need to buy a new one.
Sadly, cosmetic issues are a lot more expensive, and a complete overhaul including silver plate can often cost well over £1,000.00 mainly due to the amount of labour involved. However, this is usually far less than buying a replacement instrument.
Re-built Olds Recording
Re-built Olds Mendez
Re-built Bach Stradivarius
Re-built Bach Stradivarius
Leadpipe replacement
due to “red-rot”
Red-rot, pink spot or de-zincification is a process that happens when brass starts to break down, and can occur in almost any brass instrument, irrespective of cost or age!
It usually takes place in the leadpipe, due to the hostile environment caused by repeated exposure to saliva and has become more common since regulations have demanded the reduction of lead in brass production.
All people have different body chemistries therefore red-rot can occur at different rates, but keeping the inside of your trumpet clean will slow the process down.
There are many repairers who will tell you that re-rot is not a problem and that the red marks or pimples on the outside of the brass are just cosmetic. However what you see on the outside is evidence that things are far worse on the inside and contrary to what many people say, an instrument’s performance will dramatically degrade during the process.
Over the past 40 years, Will has replaced hundreds of leadpipes with custom-built leadpipes that contain little or no zinc. As well as being resistant to red-rot they usually offer improved attack, tuning and tone.
The price for a standard pipe in red brass is around £200.00 including fitting which represents excellent value for money, especially if it gives a new lease of life to an instrument that may be worth over £3,000!
If you think that your trumpet requires a service that is not covered on this site please feel free to email or call with your enquiry.