Some days.. you feel the dread and despair that comes in the unbearable weight of the world we live in.. and other days you watch a 3 part video of a man repairing an old French horn with nothing but sheer determination and his own two hands. Unbelievable work man 🙌
After watching all three of these videos, I can't help feeling there must have been more labor than the value of the instrument, but I loved watching every minute of it.
Well, the school needed a French Horn, the school board wasn’t going to buy a new one, so we made it happen however we could. And I am told the young player is highly successful on it and proud to be playing it, so I would say it’s a win. Thank you for watching
@@wesleemusicrepair9820, Thank you for doing that for the kids! That's awesome. I know I have given several horns away myself to deserving kids so they could participate in band. Keep the faith!
As a French Horn player (have been playing since I was 15 years old and am now 64) and the owner of two double-horns, this series of videos gave me so much joy. I love the French Horn and am delighted to see this one restored.
As a metalsmith and studio jeweler who fabricates and loves the art medium of metal, this was a sheer joy to watch. I am reminded of something Charles Lewton-Brain said. “Metal is plastic” and that our fingers, in your case your forearm, are your first go to tools in the studio. Excellent work!!
Somehow TH-cam took my Law Enforcement and 2nd Amendment video history and decided a video on French Horn repair was needed.... After 3 videos I do not regret watching. Good work!!!
That was a special journey and thank you, firstly for breathing life back into that sad horn, secondly for making it happen for a young player and then for sharing it with us all. Repair, not replace is a wonderful ethos and to see your amazing skills, patience and craftsmanship at work is a real joy. Warm regards from Sydney, Dave (old Eupho player)
Man...here I thought I obliterated my coronet back when I was in highschool (20yrs ago)...nope...my coronet at its worst was pristine by comparison...I had my horn bent 90 degrees to the left of the body...hated band back then - bunch of clicks of pretentious a-holes then there's the kids like myself who grew up on the "other side of the tracks" took that frustration out on my defenseless coronet. Hate admitting it but it's true. Can't imagine doing anything like that today. The horn got donated to an inner city (Chicago) school and fast forward to present day, I adore classical music and play an 1880s Mittenwald Violin. There's hope for everyone. Thank you for posting such an uplifting redemption! Keep up the incredible work!
This 3 part restoration was very interesting and I don’t know anything about orchestral instruments… it was very satisfying to see this beautiful piece of music being restored to its original condition. Great job 👍🏻
That was a beautiful 3 part repair series. And to hear it play once again at the end was a wonderful finish. The reason you gave for the repair in the comments makes it even better! Glad to know that repairs exist for such instruments!
Absolutely great workmanship after watching the 3 videos of repairing this horn. But my heart still goes out to the owner of the instrument that without a doubt cares deeply for this horn to afford all the necessity to repair it. With all the talent in the restoration it still bares the scars of a serious accident just like our own bodies. Character added and almost as good as new...
TH-cam suggested this video. I don't know a thing about musical insttuments, specially brass winds, but this was the coolest video repair series of this instrument. I hat e reality TV shis...with a passion, so now I have your videos to binge on this weekend. I'm subscribing!
When I was in highschool I took up the trombone. when we bought our house at the time it came with two of them wall mounted as a decoration in the basement. One had been mauled by a dog or something, the other one was in horrific shape. My Music teacher Mr Yaskinski recommended an instrument repair guy and for I think $100 he fixed both of them. To this day I have no idea how he fixed them. One was literally destroyed by a dog and the other was barely functional. I gave one to a classmate and the other I still have over my mantle, sadly unplayed but still beautiful 20+ years later. This art is truly that - Art. Its amazing what you can do!
You brought that horn back to life!! I am curious why you would attach the lead pipe brace near the mouthpiece before you straighten the leadpipe? Not being critical, just wondering if there is a difference????
I was also wondering how much that repair cost but then I read it was charity work for a school. Very interesting series of videos and great work for a great cause!!!!
Still costs money. This guys time is clearly very valuable, considering how good he is. I can’t imagine how his time couldn’t have been spent better, working on a much more expensive piece, and just buying a new one of these. And he could even salvage all the non tube parts.
As a brass player, specifically low brass, it pains me to see one badly damaged like that considering some brass and low brass instruments can cost up to 8,000 dollars. Good work!
I spent six weeks in band in MS playing the french horn. During that time, I lost the music book and never had to pay the replacement cost and if I remember correctly I may have accidentally bent the bell, putting a single slight bend on the bottom of where the instrument rests on the leg. Needless to say, I had slight attention disorders and an extreme learning curve that I dropped the class and integrated into AYA class. It's like my confidence dropped cause I didn't feel suited for any musical instrument other than a recorder that I found easier to play. But to this day, I don't know how I managed to play hot cross buns backwards when in a group practice or show setting but I could play it normally in one on one or in private. Still Baffled so many years later.
Holy crap. If someone asked me to do this and I just saw how much work and dedication this takes, I'd be like "10,000 dollars". That's just insane. It's almost like if they destroyed it just to make you suffer.
It can be frustrating for kids to learn to play. I had one that looked like that after I was finished with it. I'd say it won't be the last time he has to repair it.
$10,000? You do WAY more work for WAY more time, for WAY less than that. Let’s say he worked 8 hours a day for a week, to get this done. How much do YOU get paid to do 40 hours of work? $1000? $2000? So why would you charge $10,000 for this?
@@jamesbizs He didn't spend that much time on it. I'd say $500. 1/5th or 1/6th the price of a new one. They gave us those ole beaters to take home for practice when I was learning in middle school.
Just so I could know, what would such an extensive repair and refurbishment cost? With no regard to the “value” of the horn. (Any instrument can be priceless, be it due to tone, playability or personal nostalgia!)
Hard to tell, but I'm sure a guy with skills like that would be charging $50-100 per hour for his work. I'm guessing a project like that would take 1-3 days. Low end maybe $400, high end, $2500?
evidently it is both vintage(?) and a school instrument, but i was still astonished at the amount of damage that thing went through; poor thing looked like it was literally run over. the repairman responded to another commenter, recalling that the school board was unwilling to replace the instrument. that being said, im thinking the board had refused to pay for its previously accumulating repairs up to that point lol
I just found your channel and am going to sub. You brought back many memories of hanging out at my local music and repair shop. Remind Ed me off the time the owner fever me a piston valve french horn that had survived a fire (soot damage only) - if I was willing to clean and polisher... Took better last of the summer break but I did it (agree of 13). I miss band.
Well, i do not care for metalwork and i do not play an instrument, but i have watched all three parts! Perhaps it's the old German in me who enjoys watching a real master (Meister) of his job doing what he has learned in a long time. I love it! There was only one thing missing - the expression of the face of the owner of the horn when he got it back 😃
As my English friend says "I'm gob smacked". The bell looked like a wadded up piece of gold coloured foil. Perhaps the victim of baggage handling in the extreme. My very best to craftsman like yourself. Thank you. Narragansett Bay.
You are a saint for even embarking on the arduous journey of repairing this horn. It must have been owned by a very angry student. I have owned many percussion instruments and have never accidentally caused this kind of multi-car accident level of damage to one of them. Hopefully, the owner is receiving psychotherapy.
I would have liked to see (an attempt at) it being played when you first got it. And, again after it was restored. That way we can ‘hear’ the difference.
this series is incredible but i have to ask, have you considered a collet setup for your lathework? i know you definitely have the hand tension down for your chuck setup but a collet one would give you better clamping pressure with less chance of tube deformation
Watched all three videos, great workmanship and skill... just wondering was this a work of love or for a customer and are French Horns so expensive that this is cheaper than buying new...
Your work is amazing! With an instrument damaged this badly, would it be possible to restore the finish to make it look like new or is that impossible or just not worth the effort?
Hi wes, do you use an acid dip for any of your instrument cleanings? I know Allied supply slime away is the main product for this, however I am looking for an alternative :)
Like most comments here already your passion to rebuild & maintain musical instruments is impressive. I also played the French horn in school orchestra. I miss that beautiful full sound. Just a curious question . . . When you are using the torch there is a slight humming sound, is that an oxygen generator for your mixed gas torch?
I've seen some bends and dings being repaired using soapy metal beads and an hydraulic piston to push more and more inside until they start coming out freely on the other end or at the keys/valves, but with these many I think you knew that wasn't an option.
I’m surprised all those slides came off for how badly the horn was damaged, I’ve come across a good amount of school owned instruments that had some that would hardly move lmao
I’ve never played an instrument in my life, i was an athlete so i don’t necessarily understand how this could happen to someone’s equipment. Playing baseball your glove is like your baby, you take care of it, oil it and try to shape it because you want a consistent feel. Obviously everything wears out but still you wanted to do your best to keep it pristine. However, i enjoy watching your work. I do construction and love to tinker with things and this is just interesting to watch
on another comment: " in this case I soldered the brace to the mouthpipe before straightening because it gave me more resistance and less chance of collapsing the mouthpipe from buckling the other way in my flexing motion. Thanks for watching."
Wow ! I'm only surprised that you solder the crook between tubing and receiver before fixing the dent just after the receiver. Is there a reason for doing one after the other ?
1090yoyo in this case I soldered the brace to the mouthpipe before straightening because it gave me more resistance and less chance of collapsing the mouthpipe from buckling the other way in my flexing motion. Thanks for watching.
Some days.. you feel the dread and despair that comes in the unbearable weight of the world we live in.. and other days you watch a 3 part video of a man repairing an old French horn with nothing but sheer determination and his own two hands. Unbelievable work man 🙌
He used a lot of tools besides his hands.
The skill in his ands and tools is amazing!
And about $1000 in tools and jigs.
After watching all three of these videos, I can't help feeling there must have been more labor than the value of the instrument, but I loved watching every minute of it.
Well, the school needed a French Horn, the school board wasn’t going to buy a new one, so we made it happen however we could. And I am told the young player is highly successful on it and proud to be playing it, so I would say it’s a win.
Thank you for watching
@@wesleemusicrepair9820, Thank you for doing that for the kids! That's awesome. I know I have given several horns away myself to deserving kids so they could participate in band. Keep the faith!
@@MrTBoneMalone that’s all we can do. Show and teach them why we love it so much
@@wesleemusicrepair9820 Ah! I was wondering whether a Holton was worth all that effort, but that's a really excellent reason to do it. Great work.
Over forty years ago, I used to be a machinist for King Musical Instruments. Looking at all the French Horn parts, brought back alot of memories.
As a French Horn player (have been playing since I was 15 years old and am now 64) and the owner of two double-horns, this series of videos gave me so much joy. I love the French Horn and am delighted to see this one restored.
Whoa! I never would've thought that horn could be fixed. The damage was so extensive! I'm just blown away by the workmanship and expertise. Awesome!!!
Blown away! Well you made me laugh!
As a metalsmith and studio jeweler who fabricates and loves the art medium of metal, this was a sheer joy to watch. I am reminded of something Charles Lewton-Brain said. “Metal is plastic” and that our fingers, in your case your forearm, are your first go to tools in the studio. Excellent work!!
A sound test when the instrument arrived would have been the icing on the cake. Great job!
As a French horn player, this was both painful and satisfying to watch
Somehow TH-cam took my Law Enforcement and 2nd Amendment video history and decided a video on French Horn repair was needed.... After 3 videos I do not regret watching. Good work!!!
2A baby!
Bringing people together!
I watched the French horn series again today. The evolution of the bench, from clean to burns now, is nice to see.
i don't understand how people can watch the first two videos and not the conclusion.
great work and your reasons for doing it are righteous.
That was a special journey and thank you, firstly for breathing life back into that sad horn, secondly for making it happen for a young player and then for sharing it with us all. Repair, not replace is a wonderful ethos and to see your amazing skills, patience and craftsmanship at work is a real joy. Warm regards from Sydney, Dave (old Eupho player)
Man...here I thought I obliterated my coronet back when I was in highschool (20yrs ago)...nope...my coronet at its worst was pristine by comparison...I had my horn bent 90 degrees to the left of the body...hated band back then - bunch of clicks of pretentious a-holes then there's the kids like myself who grew up on the "other side of the tracks" took that frustration out on my defenseless coronet. Hate admitting it but it's true. Can't imagine doing anything like that today. The horn got donated to an inner city (Chicago) school and fast forward to present day, I adore classical music and play an 1880s Mittenwald Violin. There's hope for everyone. Thank you for posting such an uplifting redemption! Keep up the incredible work!
It makes me glad to see these instruments put back into service; especially after so much misuse. Thank you!
Unbelievable work, all three parts, I am so full of admiration. I am so impressed.
Standing round of applause for a true maestro. Bravo.
This 3 part restoration was very interesting and I don’t know anything about orchestral instruments… it was very satisfying to see this beautiful piece of music being restored to its original condition. Great job 👍🏻
That was a beautiful 3 part repair series. And to hear it play once again at the end was a wonderful finish. The reason you gave for the repair in the comments makes it even better! Glad to know that repairs exist for such instruments!
Absolutely great workmanship after watching the 3 videos of repairing this horn. But my heart still goes out to the owner of the instrument that without a doubt cares deeply for this horn to afford all the necessity to repair it. With all the talent in the restoration it still bares the scars of a serious accident just like our own bodies. Character added and almost as good as new...
This felt like a school instrument to me - thus the excessive damage from a variety of incidents.
TH-cam suggested this video. I don't know a thing about musical insttuments, specially brass winds, but this was the coolest video repair series of this instrument. I hat e reality TV shis...with a passion, so now I have your videos to binge on this weekend. I'm subscribing!
Well the youtube algorithm gods brought me here and I stayed for the 3 parts. Well done that man.
You are the skilled surgeon to the musical instrument world ............brilliant to watch .
Unsung is the amazing craftsmanship that went into mangling that French Horn.
Very nice job! I'm really impressed of what you did with this instrument
When I was in highschool I took up the trombone. when we bought our house at the time it came with two of them wall mounted as a decoration in the basement. One had been mauled by a dog or something, the other one was in horrific shape. My Music teacher Mr Yaskinski recommended an instrument repair guy and for I think $100 he fixed both of them. To this day I have no idea how he fixed them. One was literally destroyed by a dog and the other was barely functional. I gave one to a classmate and the other I still have over my mantle, sadly unplayed but still beautiful 20+ years later. This art is truly that - Art. Its amazing what you can do!
just beyond amazing - you're blessed with these golden hands!
Thank you for relieving pressure on the braces... professional touches !
so cool, thanks for making this happen and sharing this content as well as gifting the instrument and time/energy to a student. Means a lot.
Impressive repair work. First time I have seen a Shopsmith used like you do.
After all the skill and craftsmanship he used to fix it... he played it? Well done, sir!
I’m not sure what this means. Why would he not have played it?
You brought that horn back to life!! I am curious why you would attach the lead pipe brace near the mouthpiece before you straighten the leadpipe? Not being critical, just wondering if there is a difference????
You are doing a very good job, you are a professional artist sir.👏
I was also wondering how much that repair cost but then I read it was charity work for a school. Very interesting series of videos and great work for a great cause!!!!
Still costs money. This guys time is clearly very valuable, considering how good he is. I can’t imagine how his time couldn’t have been spent better, working on a much more expensive piece, and just buying a new one of these. And he could even salvage all the non tube parts.
@@jamesbizs french horns are generally as expensive as it gets. compared to other instruments.
Very detailed repair work and lots of cleaning and soldering done but it came out looking very good.
Would love to know how that instrument got that damaged. But great work by a master repair tech, brought it back from the dead!
As a brass player, specifically low brass, it pains me to see one badly damaged like that considering some brass and low brass instruments can cost up to 8,000 dollars. Good work!
Somebody had to have thrown that up in the air. Probably more than once.
I spent six weeks in band in MS playing the french horn. During that time, I lost the music book and never had to pay the replacement cost and if I remember correctly I may have accidentally bent the bell, putting a single slight bend on the bottom of where the instrument rests on the leg.
Needless to say, I had slight attention disorders and an extreme learning curve that I dropped the class and integrated into AYA class. It's like my confidence dropped cause I didn't feel suited for any musical instrument other than a recorder that I found easier to play.
But to this day, I don't know how I managed to play hot cross buns backwards when in a group practice or show setting but I could play it normally in one on one or in private. Still Baffled so many years later.
Sounds like you should have been given a clarinet. I’m sorry band didn’t work out for you. :/
Just genius. What a gift to watch!!!
Holy crap. If someone asked me to do this and I just saw how much work and dedication this takes, I'd be like "10,000 dollars". That's just insane. It's almost like if they destroyed it just to make you suffer.
It can be frustrating for kids to learn to play. I had one that looked like that after I was finished with it. I'd say it won't be the last time he has to repair it.
$10,000? You do WAY more work for WAY more time, for WAY less than that. Let’s say he worked 8 hours a day for a week, to get this done. How much do YOU get paid to do 40 hours of work? $1000? $2000? So why would you charge $10,000 for this?
@@jamesbizs He didn't spend that much time on it. I'd say $500. 1/5th or 1/6th the price of a new one. They gave us those ole beaters to take home for practice when I was learning in middle school.
Love it when you play a few notes after the repair!
I get ASMR tingles watching these
A true craftsman. Respect.
The world’s tiniest oxy/acetylene rig! That was fascinating.
Amazing Repair, it looked like it had been run over with a Bus, But you Got it Back !
Just so I could know, what would such an extensive repair and refurbishment cost? With no regard to the “value” of the horn. (Any instrument can be priceless, be it due to tone, playability or personal nostalgia!)
Hard to tell, but I'm sure a guy with skills like that would be charging $50-100 per hour for his work. I'm guessing a project like that would take 1-3 days.
Low end maybe $400, high end, $2500?
Totally captivating. A master at work. I wonder what caused the damage in the first place?
evidently it is both vintage(?) and a school instrument, but i was still astonished at the amount of damage that thing went through; poor thing looked like it was literally run over. the repairman responded to another commenter, recalling that the school board was unwilling to replace the instrument. that being said, im thinking the board had refused to pay for its previously accumulating repairs up to that point lol
I agree, awesome work. I just wonder how many hours it took.
I just found your channel and am going to sub. You brought back many memories of hanging out at my local music and repair shop. Remind Ed me off the time the owner fever me a piston valve french horn that had survived a fire (soot damage only) - if I was willing to clean and polisher... Took better last of the summer break but I did it (agree of 13). I miss band.
Well, i do not care for metalwork and i do not play an instrument, but i have watched all three parts!
Perhaps it's the old German in me who enjoys watching a real master (Meister) of his job doing what he has learned in a long time.
I love it! There was only one thing missing - the expression of the face of the owner of the horn when he got it back 😃
As my English friend says "I'm gob smacked". The bell looked like a wadded up piece of gold coloured foil. Perhaps the victim of baggage handling in the extreme. My very best to craftsman like yourself. Thank you. Narragansett Bay.
Beautiful work! Lots of hours into it!
Great video! Excellent work! God bless!
Nothing short of remarkable!
Absolutely fascinating. Incredible work.
You are a saint for even embarking on the arduous journey of repairing this horn. It must have been owned by a very angry student. I have owned many percussion instruments and have never accidentally caused this kind of multi-car accident level of damage to one of them. Hopefully, the owner is receiving psychotherapy.
I would have liked to see (an attempt at) it being played when you first got it. And, again after it was restored. That way we can ‘hear’ the difference.
Tell us about that little torch you use.
Kristi Miller-lee Smith Little Mighty torch on a propane/O2 setup. The O2 comes from a modified ventilator.
this series is incredible but i have to ask, have you considered a collet setup for your lathework? i know you definitely have the hand tension down for your chuck setup but a collet one would give you better clamping pressure with less chance of tube deformation
Amazing skill on display here. I’m curious why you didn’t anneal the bell before taking out all those dents. Was it to preserve the finish?
How do you deal with the brass work hardening as you work it?
Watched all three videos, great workmanship and skill... just wondering was this a work of love or for a customer and are French Horns so expensive that this is cheaper than buying new...
Amazing work, fantastic skills, if I may ask question what kind of tourch are you using?
Hello...thank you for your nice videos...how much is a repair like that?
Amazing! Do you use silver solider? Any fluke needed?
Wow, I wonder how many hours of repair?
Your work is amazing! With an instrument damaged this badly, would it be possible to restore the finish to make it look like new or is that impossible or just not worth the effort?
It’s earned the right to not look new, if you want one that looks like a new instrument buy a new one.
It's not about what I want. I am wondering from a technical standpoint if it is possible...
Hi wes, do you use an acid dip for any of your instrument cleanings? I know Allied supply slime away is the main product for this, however I am looking for an alternative :)
do you polish and buff out the scratches after you take out the dents?
Is that the same kind of wire people use for soldering stuff?
Like most comments here already your passion to rebuild & maintain musical instruments is impressive.
I also played the French horn in school orchestra. I miss that beautiful full sound.
Just a curious question . . . When you are using the torch there is a slight humming sound, is that an oxygen generator for your mixed gas torch?
Flipping AMAZING!!!
Can a scratched up instrument be re-lacquered?
Is plating also possible? So many scratches break my heart...
This horn saved somebody’s life in an after symphony brawl
Is there a reason you used a Dremel to cut the tubing when there was a cutoff tool for the lathe in the shot?
I’d imagine it’s because of the problems parting off a distance from the chuck and the spindle not being big enough to accommodate the tube.
Amazing project!!!
incredible work
What brand oxygen concentrator do you use for your torch?
Nevermind. It's an Invacare. I just saw it.
you sir are a magician🙏
What is the gage of the brass on a French horn
Is it just standard to not push valves down when removing valve piping?
what made it all smashed up??
You are fantastic!!! Though, it's sad to see how people can destroy an instrument........
wow what an amazing craft!
Is it easier to repair removable bells on french horns?
Unreal my man! Bravo!
I've seen some bends and dings being repaired using soapy metal beads and an hydraulic piston to push more and more inside until they start coming out freely on the other end or at the keys/valves, but with these many I think you knew that wasn't an option.
Nice video! But oh shoot, I was hoping we'd get to see you polish the whole thing back up!
Nice job!! Did it get run over by a bus?
I’m surprised all those slides came off for how badly the horn was damaged, I’ve come across a good amount of school owned instruments that had some that would hardly move lmao
I would love to see full restoration, remove all scratches and have it nice and shiny and clean.
Gratulacje. Wspaniała praca. Pozdrawiam
I’ve never played an instrument in my life, i was an athlete so i don’t necessarily understand how this could happen to someone’s equipment. Playing baseball your glove is like your baby, you take care of it, oil it and try to shape it because you want a consistent feel. Obviously everything wears out but still you wanted to do your best to keep it pristine. However, i enjoy watching your work. I do construction and love to tinker with things and this is just interesting to watch
Because it’s not someone’s equipment. It’s everyone’s equipment. To use your example, picture that glove but in the school PE bin.
@@jamesbizs typically, around here they loan it out to you for as long as your in band. You don’t change it out every week
Cool job, mate! Thanx for sharing and uploading! ;)
What sort of lathe is that? Very cool.
It’s a Sherline.
Question: Why did you solder the lead pipe brace before you straightened the lead pipe?
That’s a great question except for the fact I have no idea what was wrong in this video
on another comment: " in this case I soldered the brace to the mouthpipe before straightening because it gave me more resistance and less chance of collapsing the mouthpipe from buckling the other way in my flexing motion. Thanks for watching."
Cara parabéns,estou boquiaberto,exelente trabalho.
Wow !
I'm only surprised that you solder the crook between tubing and receiver before fixing the dent just after the receiver. Is there a reason for doing one after the other ?
1090yoyo in this case I soldered the brace to the mouthpipe before straightening because it gave me more resistance and less chance of collapsing the mouthpipe from buckling the other way in my flexing motion. Thanks for watching.
Thanks a lot for your answer ! I guess more resistance is sometimes better
Do you repair triple horns
Ok.. I’ve got to ask, what happened to that poor Horn?
Fantastic