Honestly! But in a funny way, I remember using worse ones because they would be both crumpled and lost all of their shine! Public school elementary bands don’t have a budget for polish ;)
@@bobboscarato1313 even in our highschool, my graduating class was 21 people. Most of the parents were meth heads and their children were about as careless as well and still I had never seen an instrument this bad looking
I did this job as an assistant for a summer and I can attest to how difficult it is just to get small dents out of a horn bell. This guy's a wizard. Unbelievable
the first most important part of the technique of any Master is the belief that anything is possible. this is why Masters accomplish and others just wish.
I suspect the forces he's applying are very gentle to avoid creasing or work hardening the brass (which it and copper are notorious for in engineering), but the precision whe he's working it with the ball hammer, just nudging the metal around - keeping your forces under control is its own kind of tiring
Adding heat may stretch it to a point of no return. This can happen on auto body (metal, of course) as well. BTW, you can repair a 70s or older VW Beetle in this same way.
My god that looks as if it were thrown out of an aircraft at 30,000 feet! Brilliant Job Wes! I love watching craftsmen at their trade. It doesn't really matter what the craft is, but it's extra satisfying when you watch someone repair something in the brass family that you may have played at sometime. From one musical instrument maker ( pipe organ here in the UK) to a musical instrument repairer par excellance salutations Sir!
I would love to hear the stories behind all of these smashed up instruments. All of them were crushed under some weight. My guess is tripped and fell on them possibly. He does unbelievable craftsmanship to bring them all back to life. Nothings impossible. Fun to watch.
A fall down some bleachers would do it. I slipped off the last step of the back bleacher staircase at our HS stadium when I was carrying my tenor saxophone. I held it up so it wouldn't get damaged and bruised my tailbone pretty badly, but I saved my horn!!
My guess would be bullies or post game "band fights".I have seen both, unfortunately. The worst I ever saw was when a bully tossed a kid's flute case into traffic. As for " band fights", after a game between rival high schools, the football teams squared off & fought, while the bands did the same. Apparently it was a tradition, regardless of which team won.
@@melakee5321 Well, everything existed before hipsters, so you could say that about anything. My point being, he wears clothes from different age, it has nothing to do with his skills as a craftsman. Most craftsmen, great or bad tend to wear modern functional clothing.
Or maybe there is still a demand for this work because orchestras are still a thing. I love how there are hundreds if not thousands of videos of people doing this stuff and some old fart has to say no one is learning this craft. Bullshit, new young people learn this stuff everyday, you just don't see them because you're probably not looking. So stupid.
Quite impressive. I have been curious about bell repair since I was in high school and a sousaphone player left his removable bell section out of his case and it was run over by our bus. At the time I thought there was no way it could have been repaired but it came back a month later.
Not the usual sort of video I watch. But I appreciate music. Just about every kind. From classical to death metal. Punk rock, rockabilly, classic rock, 80s synthwave, drum n bass, dubstep...all of it. When I saw the thumbnail of the sad state of that horn I HAD to see it fixed. You sir are a master at what you do! Fantastic work!
I have no idea why the almighty algorithm recommended this to me, but I'm glad it did. WOW! What the hell happened to that horn? Amazing job restoring it! Wouldn't have thought that was possible when I saw the first few seconds of the video.
The most impressive thing to me is that if I personally received this instrument in such condition, I'd instantly cry. But not because I love music and instruments; because I know for a fact how much patience and strength it requires to get it back into shape. This man has my admiration.
What a random video to stumble upon... I was pretty blown away by your craftsmanship sir, that was incredible! Inspiring to see someone saving what I would have thought to be trash, but instead ready to make more music.
Tools strength and skill, what I find surprising is the brass took that abuse with-out cracking from being work hardened. I would of thought that one would have had to apply some heat to anneal the metal. Pleasure to watch in this in instant world of gratification !
@@bigfootsburneraccount9160 On part two he has to resolder some areas and the heat does discolour it, so he uses his buffing wheel to bring it back. There also looks like there is some sort of varnish on it to keep it rom tarnishing. I'm sure that will be reapplied after he buffs the bell.
@@HaggisCat1 probably some sort of wax, or at least I'd assume that's what they originally used, today it might be something else I'm not one for brass instruments.
@HaggisCat1 Those were my exact thoughts! I make some brass things for sale and it would be a dream if I could work them and not anneal and clean up before working again. Mr. Bell what is this magic?
That horn was disrespected! I've seen horns that were thrown after a solo that didn't get that smashed. Anyone else would of cut that bell off and added a new one. I'm glad you were the one chosen to fix it! Nice job!
In 1977 at the Texas state solo and ensemble in Austin, I was there to play Mozart horn concerto #1 that I had made a one on the same in regional. I was to meet my piano player ( John Dixon) about 20 minutes before my time slot. I was late as usually was the case. Ran to the bus,, grabbed my horn in the case, and hurried off to the warmup room I was assigned to. With about 5 minutes to go before I was scheduled to play I opened my case and the bus had run over my horn. Apparently when the instruments were unloaded my horn was in front of the rear wheels just enough for the bus to flatten and tear the bell of the horn. I knew nobody, I didn't have time even if there had been another horn. I played that horn after I had opened the bell up enough to get sound. After I finished, the judge asked if that had just happened and I said yes. He smiled and shook his head with his eyes down. I got a ...5. Yes that is as low a score as can be given. (For those who may not know its like golf lower the score the better). No mercy. It worked out okay I majored I music in college and my solo and ensemble result did not make any difference except to me. Oh well.
I would've never recovered hahah. It's like being an artist and realizing all your paint is dry and your pencils are disheveled ... Good to hear you ended up doing well though! Now it's just a funny story lol
Wow! I am thinking that this is a job that most people would turn down just because of the hard work! That was a physically challenging piece of work. Fantastic!
I destroyed the bell of my trombone back in '80. Upset and stupid. Didn't know my dad paid $400 for that instrument. Didn't learn my lesson as I destroyed my Les Paul Custom in '84. I bought that one myself. That was some amazing work there.
I used to be a panel beater, brass is soft compared to steel and easier to work with. I would have thought he would have been able to repair this in a day easy .
It's a question of 'economically repairing', i.e. cost of repair over replacement. Beautiful job, but I hope he was adequately rewarded. That's very specialist work
I can absolutely not understand how anyone can allow his precious instrument to fall into such a pitiful state. Nice to see some people have a heart and passion and the (awesome) skills to repair even such seemingly hopeless cases. Respect!
@@fivefingerfullprice3403 I don't know what happend to this instrument, but to me this damage doesn't look like it was one single accident that damaged a well preserved Instrument. More thinkable that this horn was tortured for a long time. If it fell off a building, it probably was an attempt to suicide.
Never in my life did I think I would watch a trained professional butter a French horn with a giant lubed up knife while grunting, and yet, here we are.
#1) How in the heck would a French Horn get so badly damaged? #2) Thank goodness we have people like Wes that have the patience to actually repair a beautiful horn like this.
Absolutely beautiful results. As a flooring guy, I'm gonna try to use the mans' techniques with a commercial vinyl seam roller and several shaped stones here at home on the tailgate of my truck. What an inspiration!
It's easy to forget that metal is malleable; what has been bent can be straightened to *almost* its original shape/ position. With patience and thinking about the work, great results can be achieved even by us amateurs :-)
As a metalsmith I must applaud your hand strength! You literally muscled the wrinkles put of the bell.. I wouldn't have believed it possible without seeing it.
I watched Trumpet manufacturing videos, and hammered one piece bell starts out as wrinkly piece of brass sheet and end up as smooth and shiny bell shape.
Just when I was going to comment that an English Wheel would be great for smoothing those ripples, you put it right on an English Wheel. That's the best sheet metal tool ever along with a brake.
"Skilled Craftsman". And then some. Superb work. I hope some young person out there somewhere takes up apprenticeship with this man. We have to nurture and appreciate folks who get things done using skills like these.
Lovely work. I had no idea anyone could restore a horn that badly crumpled. That brass is so thin, I would be afraid to attempt this. All done with the metal cold, with pure muscle.
Hi there. I've been playing tuba for atleast 4 years now and i can definitely say that it's worth it. if you have any questions about how to get started or if you need any tips your welcome to ask :)).
I just watched your vid about restoring a trumpet with a damaged bell and valves. This one is even more scary. I can't imagine what happened to that poor horn. A funny thought...we get to see HOW it gets fixed. The horn-owner only gets to see the 'before and after'. I can imagine the look on their faces when it's returned to them, they open the case, and just think HOW did he do that? Kudos, good sir. Nothing like watching an artist at work.
Sir, every time I watch one of your videos I am impressed at what a master repairman you are. I never would have thought in a million years that bell could have been salvaged. I have dabbled in sheet metal for a few jobs I've had, but you are an absolute master in knowing how to make the metal move in just the right ways. If I wore a hat, it would be off to you.
Idk what surprises me more lol to see a French horn damaged like that or the fact that I never thought there was people that specialize in fixing that kind of damage. Very interesting video thank you
This was a very interesting video! I played French Horn in high school. Graduated in 1974. So it's been awhile since I've played. There was an old horn that hung around the band room that had really bad damage to the bell similar to the one you fixed. You couldn't have told me that it could've been fixed until I watched this video. Great job my friend!😍
@@kishascape Looks like one of those 'Don't ask' situations. I too played French horn in from 7th grade til I graduated, in band and orchestra. Indeed a remarkable repair job.
I remember seeing a tuba far worse than that years ago at school. The bell was completely twisted and crumpled in. Was so disgusted to see how badly it was treated.
Probably years of students dropping it and mistreatment here and there, schools don't typically sink money into music let alone upkeep of the instruments.
Hi, I just want to thank you for taking the time to make these video's. I have only just found your channel when it popped up after watching one of Art's videos and i have been binge watching them since :) I Joined a brass band in England in 2008 as a beginner with my then 8 year old son and learned to play, I am a mechanical engineer/bodywork guy by trade and was shocked at the expense my band incurred for instrument repair and just how few repair shops there are in England. I built a very small workshop in the garden and started to learn instrument repair and twelve years later i am well established and giving back to my banding community but it's all thanks to channels like Art's and yours. I have had to improvise a lot of tools or just build them myself but i am always on the lookout for tips and advice on repair techniques and tools. Great job on that horn bell btw. Never seen a bell wire so bent as that one, makes you wonder how they get that way. Was it a school instrument? I just repaired a schools Euphonium bell that looked almost as bad as that horn.
Thanks for watching. Art is a good guy, we actually went to Redwing together. Lost touch after graduation as people got their lives together and there were no cell phones/internet. I’m glad you find the videos helpful, and I’m very excited to hear that you practice the trade. We are a dying breed. I’m also pleased to read that you make a lot of your own tools as well. We often have to think outside of the box to do the best job.
My thoughts exactly. I've made copper model steam engine boilers and had to anneal multiple times. I would have thought the copper content of the brass would make this impossible, but he just did it right before our eyes.
You are a brave man repairing that horn. I would have cut the end and weld a new piece onto it just like the jewelers do when fixing a cut ring. I appraise you for your determination. Good work!
I played the horn for 10 years, but the past couple years had me practicing less and less, and now my once pride and joy sits in my apartment gathering dust. I think you've inspired me to find some time to play tomorrow.
I work in the metal fabrication industry and I have had to repair damaged parts and remove bends placed in the wrong dimensions. It always takes patience and some very inventive tools and approaches to accomplish a successful outcome. Wes, you are the next level above a talented craftsman! It was a great video and I really enjoyed watching you accept the challenge at repairing something that many would not consider possible!
Respect. With the right knowledge, tools, effort and patience no problem what so ever. A very time consuming repair. Would be interesting to hear how it became so damaged.
@@andrewut7ya511 don't get me started, unless you wanna hear a story about flowers and an electronic key board. But in sure everyone has heard that story.
I am thoroughly impressed with how well this kind of damage can be repaired! I would have never thought someone would or could do this! Amazing work sir. You're expertise, knowledge and dedication show!!
What happened to it that it was so messed up when it came to you? Either way.....borderline unbelievable job!!! You clearly did a wonderful job restoring the bell!
@@nickknapp5782 Mine too. Was it in a case when whatever happened to it? Can't imagine how an instrument could be damaged that badly. Looks almost like intentional vandalism.
probably a school instrument, when I was in middle school about 16 years ago I saw some seriously abused brass instruments in my band class, never understood how some kids can have such an uncaring attitude towards others possessions, I guess they don't realize how expensive instruments are or they just don't care.
I agree with@@bug3518. And I presume it was done over the course of many years. Likely some children that didn't know how to properly hold the horn (among other things) and repeatedly dropping it by accident. When I was in Middle School, some of the trumpets I would practice with had dents similar to this French Horn. Although not to this degree.
My husband was a band instrument repairman (RIP), and I saw him doing a heap of work like this: just take care of your horn or get insurance if you can't do that. A crumpled bell is never the same again. It may be cheaper than a NEW horn, or ANOTHER horn, but who wants to deal with that the rest of their days, it's all glory to the repairer than the player who didn't watch over his own horn. Our musical instruments are our "children", so don't even LET this happen by mistake - someone's mistake!
A repair like this is similar to a "restored" (repaired) broken NECK on a violin, viola, cello or bass: it reduces the value of the instrument CONSIDERABLY, yes, considerably and when you sell the instrument it HAS TO BE PART of the deal to reveal this repair. No purchaser will want such a deal, unless they are dirt poor in buying a high quality instrument. Then they can insist on a reduced price no matter how long ago it was repaired.
Funnily enough guitar headstock repairs, where the headstock has broken off eg on a Les Paul are stronger than the original neck joint. The value is obviously negatively affected.
@@robertritchie2860 musical instruments are like people: when "broken" they can be "mended", and made "stronger", but what a pain; it is better altogether not to NEED to be repaired.
brought a little tear to my eye -- my first instrument was a very beaten up euphonium with a crumpled bell. at the end of the school year it had been repaired by a man named mr. pachetti at jackson music in fayetteville georgia. this was around 1993. hope he is still with us and healthy.
This French horn hasn’t been to the chiropractor in 10 years - with an active lifestyle and little rest, this chiropractor was able to adjust all its kinks until it felt brand new
I'm always a little surprised when I end up watching these sorts of videos all the way through. Really fascinating, great watch. I was shocked there wasn't some sort of small blowtorch even at a distance to help with the molding of the horn, but I guess the friction from all the work applied was all it needed, and of course the elbow grease pulling the weight there it seems. Really cool stuff. Time to go find part two!
This was awesome to watch. I need to get my grandfather’s baritone repaired. The bell flare is almost as crumpled as the one in the video.😕 Awesome work, sir!!👍🏼👍🏼
Отличная работа! Хотелось бы услышать, как звучит поврежденный инструмент, а потом сравнить со звуком отремонтированного) Интересно, на сколько сильна разница.
I had a Holton trombone. In Jr Hi the band was practicing a counter march. When the trombones made the turns, one of the drummers bumped me, I spun around and two trumpet players hit my trombone from each side and wrapped it around my waist. I never told my parents. The band director got the instrument fixed and my parents never knew. Whew!!
As a former high school band student, I watched in horror as my 2nd chair fellow horn player grab and wrench the bell of the school owned horn one day as he laughed. I took care of the double horn that the school provided me. Great times.
@@kishascape The metal is fairly thin and soft, not thin and soft enough to deform with normal, careful use, however. Like I said, I have never seen one that badly damaged. I don't know this horns story, so I can't imagine what was done to it to cause that!
Not only did he repair the horn's bell, he repaired the deepest pain in my heart from seeing it in such a horrendous state.
Yep
Hello my brother.
Honestly! But in a funny way, I remember using worse ones because they would be both crumpled and lost all of their shine! Public school elementary bands don’t have a budget for polish ;)
yes
666 likes
Wes that bell was a crumpled ball tin foil! Beautiful work bringing it back from the dead! Impressive Sir!
Some folks are careless with their musical instruments; maybe a school band?
@@bobboscarato1313 im still confused how it even became crumpled in the first place
@@parrotmaster8787 Probably was a demo!
@@bobboscarato1313 even in our highschool, my graduating class was 21 people. Most of the parents were meth heads and their children were about as careless as well and still I had never seen an instrument this bad looking
I went to private school so I didn't have any kids doing drugs etc. We didn't have a school band either. I went to music school when I was 18 y/o.
I did this job as an assistant for a summer and I can attest to how difficult it is just to get small dents out of a horn bell. This guy's a wizard. Unbelievable
As a blacksmith, I tip my hat to you, Sir! I kept waiting for the torches to come out but your skills, your tools, and your patience left me in awe!
I was waiting for at least an annealing but nothing came.
Same,I wish steel was this easy while forging lol
honestly, torches would have caused a tear. you just have to cold work brass and be patient.
You don't need annealing for brass. Would also cause more damage.@@LifeAccordingToMatt
That was amazing to watch. I would have never thought that bell could be restored.
Thanks for watching
the first most important part of the technique of any Master is the belief that anything is possible. this is why Masters accomplish and others just wish.
@@etyrnalr/imindianandthisisdeep
That is a very fortunate customer to have you as their repair tech =)
Thanks for watching.
As a sheet metal worker, I can totally relate to what you have done. I can only imagine the face of the owner upon recovering his horn. Awesome.
I bottom out around 20 gauge steel. Can't imagine how he does that with paper thin brass
The amount of hand strength! My forearms and hands were sore just watching!!
For real, most people could do this for like a minute.
I can only imagine a hand shake from this dude would crush you hand
I suspect the forces he's applying are very gentle to avoid creasing or work hardening the brass (which it and copper are notorious for in engineering), but the precision whe he's working it with the ball hammer, just nudging the metal around - keeping your forces under control is its own kind of tiring
This man has the patience of a saint and the skill of a master. Thank you for recording your work. It was amazing to watch.
The way you get that metal to shift and go back to straight without a lot of heat is really amazing to watch
Just the heat from his breath when he grunts
I am assuming you don’t play an instrument or at lest not a brass one because it is vary easy to bend and damage
Adding heat may stretch it to a point of no return. This can happen on auto body (metal, of course) as well.
BTW, you can repair a 70s or older VW Beetle in this same way.
the bell is lacquered and bent so applying heat to that combination would create a gawd awful mess.
@@aperson5551 no he's never seen a man that intimate with a trumpet before
My god that looks as if it were thrown out of an aircraft at 30,000 feet! Brilliant Job Wes! I love watching craftsmen at their trade. It doesn't really matter what the craft is, but it's extra satisfying when you watch someone repair something in the brass family that you may have played at sometime. From one musical instrument maker ( pipe organ here in the UK) to a musical instrument repairer par excellance salutations Sir!
I would love to hear the stories behind all of these smashed up instruments. All of them were crushed under some weight. My guess is tripped and fell on them possibly. He does unbelievable craftsmanship to bring them all back to life. Nothings impossible. Fun to watch.
I asked the same thing. Luggage handlers at the airport?
Maybe tripped while marching?
A fall down some bleachers would do it. I slipped off the last step of the back bleacher staircase at our HS stadium when I was carrying my tenor saxophone. I held it up so it wouldn't get damaged and bruised my tailbone pretty badly, but I saved my horn!!
@@ivanv754 You typically don't march with this style of French horn.
My guess would be bullies or post game "band fights".I have seen both, unfortunately. The worst I ever saw was when a bully tossed a kid's flute case into traffic. As for " band fights", after a game between rival high schools, the football teams squared off & fought, while the bands did the same. Apparently it was a tradition, regardless of which team won.
I never would’ve thought that was possible - amazing restoration work!
Yeah same. Good to know they can get repaired
Leather Apron, grey beard, fedora, impeccably organized shop.. you know this man is a master craftsman of a slowly disappearing art! Awesome work!
Or a hipster! Though I'll give you he's talented!
@@GAIS414 nah, pretty sure it was hipster people who copied this kind of clothing. It existed way before hipster clothing exists
@@melakee5321 Well, everything existed before hipsters, so you could say that about anything. My point being, he wears clothes from different age, it has nothing to do with his skills as a craftsman. Most craftsmen, great or bad tend to wear modern functional clothing.
@@GAIS414 He is wearing the most practical and tested clothing for this and similar jobs.
Or maybe there is still a demand for this work because orchestras are still a thing. I love how there are hundreds if not thousands of videos of people doing this stuff and some old fart has to say no one is learning this craft. Bullshit, new young people learn this stuff everyday, you just don't see them because you're probably not looking. So stupid.
I just love what you do. There is nothing better than watching a craftsmen at work
Quite impressive. I have been curious about bell repair since I was in high school and a sousaphone player left his removable bell section out of his case and it was run over by our bus. At the time I thought there was no way it could have been repaired but it came back a month later.
This one sure looked like it got run over, that was my first thought
High school band disasters! Bet that Sousaphone player had a fun bus ride back to the school...
@@dragonmeddler2152 He was always one of the goofier members of a goofy section. He got plenty of ribbing for it.
Just hearing that made my heart drop (coming from another Sousa player)
Thank you! Being a musician, but not an instrument player (I’m a vocalist), you saved me from having to ask how such damage could possibly occur.
Not the usual sort of video I watch. But I appreciate music. Just about every kind. From classical to death metal. Punk rock, rockabilly, classic rock, 80s synthwave, drum n bass, dubstep...all of it. When I saw the thumbnail of the sad state of that horn I HAD to see it fixed. You sir are a master at what you do! Fantastic work!
what about extratone
I love punk and goth music and I play French horn in an orchestra lol just extreme opposites music wise
Both of my parents studied band instrument repair. This is impressive to see.
Master of the English Wheel. I thought there was absolutely no way this could be done. Amazing skills, congratulations!
I have no idea why the almighty algorithm recommended this to me, but I'm glad it did. WOW! What the hell happened to that horn? Amazing job restoring it! Wouldn't have thought that was possible when I saw the first few seconds of the video.
The most impressive thing to me is that if I personally received this instrument in such condition, I'd instantly cry. But not because I love music and instruments; because I know for a fact how much patience and strength it requires to get it back into shape. This man has my admiration.
Used to work in a repair shop in Memphis… I’ll tell you that mess ain’t easy. Fantastic job sir!!!
What a random video to stumble upon... I was pretty blown away by your craftsmanship sir, that was incredible! Inspiring to see someone saving what I would have thought to be trash, but instead ready to make more music.
Tools strength and skill, what I find surprising is the brass took that abuse with-out cracking from being work hardened. I would of thought that one would have had to apply some heat to anneal the metal. Pleasure to watch in this in instant world of gratification !
My guess is the heat would affect the finish of the brass but I'm not sure
@@bigfootsburneraccount9160 On part two he has to resolder some areas and the heat does discolour it, so he uses his buffing wheel to bring it back. There also looks like there is some sort of varnish on it to keep it rom tarnishing. I'm sure that will be reapplied after he buffs the bell.
@@HaggisCat1 probably some sort of wax, or at least I'd assume that's what they originally used, today it might be something else I'm not one for brass instruments.
@@eve_squared Brass instruments like this are usually lacquered to stop them tarnishing.
@HaggisCat1 Those were my exact thoughts! I make some brass things for sale and it would be a dream if I could work them and not anneal and clean up before working again. Mr. Bell what is this magic?
If I had not seen this for myself I would not have thought it possible to restore this instrument. Well done !
That horn was disrespected! I've seen horns that were thrown after a solo that didn't get that smashed. Anyone else would of cut that bell off and added a new one. I'm glad you were the one chosen to fix it! Nice job!
I've been playing the french horn for 10 years, and watching you fix the bell soothed my soul. Great video!!
In 1977 at the Texas state solo and ensemble in Austin, I was there to play Mozart horn concerto #1 that I had made a one on the same in regional. I was to meet my piano player ( John Dixon) about 20 minutes before my time slot. I was late as usually was the case. Ran to the bus,, grabbed my horn in the case, and hurried off to the warmup room I was assigned to. With about 5 minutes to go before I was scheduled to play I opened my case and the bus had run over my horn. Apparently when the instruments were unloaded my horn was in front of the rear wheels just enough for the bus to flatten and tear the bell of the horn. I knew nobody, I didn't have time even if there had been another horn. I played that horn after I had opened the bell up enough to get sound. After I finished, the judge asked if that had just happened and I said yes. He smiled and shook his head with his eyes down. I got a ...5. Yes that is as low a score as can be given. (For those who may not know its like golf lower the score the better). No mercy. It worked out okay I majored I music in college and my solo and ensemble result did not make any difference except to me. Oh well.
I would've never recovered hahah. It's like being an artist and realizing all your paint is dry and your pencils are disheveled ... Good to hear you ended up doing well though! Now it's just a funny story lol
You showed your professional self so proud!! The show must go on!!! You will do well in life!!
I just watched a man wrestle a French horn back into its former shape. You must crush doorknobs with that grip. Amazing work.
Wow! I am thinking that this is a job that most people would turn down just because of the hard work! That was a physically challenging piece of work. Fantastic!
I destroyed the bell of my trombone back in '80. Upset and stupid. Didn't know my dad paid $400 for that instrument. Didn't learn my lesson as I destroyed my Les Paul Custom in '84. I bought that one myself. That was some amazing work there.
I'm curious how many actual hours went into straightening out the bell? Remarkable craftsmanship, Sir.
My question as well.
Mine too.
I used to be a panel beater, brass is soft compared to steel and easier to work with. I would have thought he would have been able to repair this in a day easy .
It's a question of 'economically repairing', i.e. cost of repair over replacement. Beautiful job, but I hope he was adequately rewarded. That's very specialist work
The bell would be 45 minutes to an hour. He showed several techniques, not required to use them all
I can absolutely not understand how anyone can allow his precious instrument to fall into such a pitiful state. Nice to see some people have a heart and passion and the (awesome) skills to repair even such seemingly hopeless cases.
Respect!
What if it was in a car accident? What if it was on a plane in the cargo hold and something heavy landed on it? What if it fell off a building?
@@fivefingerfullprice3403 I don't know what happend to this instrument, but to me this damage doesn't look like it was one single accident that damaged a well preserved Instrument.
More thinkable that this horn was tortured for a long time. If it fell off a building, it probably was an attempt to suicide.
Когда он вынул ее из футляра, я чуть не заплакал😢
А когда он выглаживал раструб я вспотел. Это огромные услия и тяжелый труд. Мастер великолепный.
Never in my life did I think I would watch a trained professional butter a French horn with a giant lubed up knife while grunting, and yet, here we are.
All metal work!!!!! pulling, pressing tapping rolling, smoothing , like European body workers this is a lost art!!!! Fantastic work !!!!!!!
#1) How in the heck would a French Horn get so badly damaged?
#2) Thank goodness we have people like Wes that have the patience to actually repair a beautiful horn like this.
I think it was from the marching band in Animal House.
Wow, I can’t believe how good it turned out.
It NEVER sucks to watch a TRUE craftsman do his deed whatever field that he/she may be in.
👍👍😎
Magnificent metal work. If the French Horn musician ever does it again, he’ll/she’ll be wearing it as a head piece.
Ah yes
The Brass Dunce Hat experience
This effin blows my mind. You sir are a master of your craft!!!
Cabe Prestwood appreciate that! Thanks for watching!
That had better be the Rolls Royce of French horns to put that much great craftsmanship back into
It! Outstanding!
Absolutely beautiful results. As a flooring guy, I'm gonna try to use the mans' techniques with a commercial vinyl seam roller and several shaped stones here at home on the tailgate of my truck. What an inspiration!
It's easy to forget that metal is malleable; what has been bent can be straightened to *almost* its original shape/ position. With patience and thinking about the work, great results can be achieved even by us amateurs :-)
As a metalsmith I must applaud your hand strength! You literally muscled the wrinkles put of the bell.. I wouldn't have believed it possible without seeing it.
I watched Trumpet manufacturing videos, and hammered one piece bell starts out as wrinkly piece of brass sheet and end up as smooth and shiny bell shape.
@@davidjacobs8558 I use a hammer and anvil pretty regularly, but not like these. Definitely specialty equipment
The metal is surprisingly thin any pliable. Easy to manipulate, but also.....easy to tear. Fine work
@@ericvi3921 for sure, it definitely takes an experienced hand
French Horn bells are usually very thin which means it’s easy to crumple the bells and it’s also easy to roll out the bells.
I never would have believed that was the same French horn in the end that we saw in the beginning. Simply amazing!
In my endless ignorance, I did not even know that this repair was doable... And without disassemble the instrument... 😮❤❤
Talk about witnessing a miracle! I still can't believe what I just saw you do. Beautifully done.
Just when I was going to comment that an English Wheel would be great for smoothing those ripples, you put it right on an English Wheel.
That's the best sheet metal tool ever along with a brake.
"Skilled Craftsman". And then some. Superb work. I hope some young person out there somewhere takes up apprenticeship with this man. We have to nurture and appreciate folks who get things done using skills like these.
I do not think he has any idea how to re-store the metal structure.
@@CarloFerraro In his defense, his last name isn't Ferraro XD
Stumbled upon this video and loved the workmanship that was displayed. Great work.
Lovely work. I had no idea anyone could restore a horn that badly crumpled. That brass is so thin, I would be afraid to attempt this. All done with the metal cold, with pure muscle.
I'm a bassist and I tend to watch guitar repairs, but wow this is top notch! Had to subscribe. I'll be starting tuba soon
Nice! I’m a student trumpeter, and I would love to learn something like the bass guitar. Good luck on the tuba!
Hi there. I've been playing tuba for atleast 4 years now and i can definitely say that it's worth it. if you have any questions about how to get started or if you need any tips your welcome to ask :)).
Why hello fellow Bassist!
Welcome fellow tuba player
Remember to breath deep and push with your diaphram
I wonder just how the bell got so beat up compared to the rest of the instrument. Amazing job restoring it
I just watched your vid about restoring a trumpet with a damaged bell and valves. This one is even more scary. I can't imagine what happened to that poor horn. A funny thought...we get to see HOW it gets fixed. The horn-owner only gets to see the 'before and after'. I can imagine the look on their faces when it's returned to them, they open the case, and just think HOW did he do that? Kudos, good sir. Nothing like watching an artist at work.
Sir, every time I watch one of your videos I am impressed at what a master repairman you are. I never would have thought in a million years that bell could have been salvaged. I have dabbled in sheet metal for a few jobs I've had, but you are an absolute master in knowing how to make the metal move in just the right ways. If I wore a hat, it would be off to you.
Beautiful to watch! Wes has tremendous experience and skills.
A true artisan, the ease of how he uses those rollers tells me he knows his skill and has for a long time, absolutely fabulous ❤
Idk what surprises me more lol to see a French horn damaged like that or the fact that I never thought there was people that specialize in fixing that kind of damage. Very interesting video thank you
Legends says he still be rolling his trumpet until this day
This was a very interesting video!
I played French Horn in high school. Graduated in 1974. So it's been awhile since I've played. There was an old horn that hung around the band room that had really bad damage to the bell similar to the one you fixed. You couldn't have told me that it could've been fixed until I watched this video. Great job my friend!😍
How did it even get damaged this way? Did someone faceplant while holding it or does this happen just from normal dropping or what?
@@kishascape Looks like one of those 'Don't ask' situations.
I too played French horn in from 7th grade til I graduated, in band and orchestra. Indeed a remarkable repair job.
@@kishascape I imagine they must've been malled by a Bair while playing in the forest
I remember seeing a tuba far worse than that years ago at school. The bell was completely twisted and crumpled in. Was so disgusted to see how badly it was treated.
How did it even turn into that state?
Probably years of students dropping it and mistreatment here and there, schools don't typically sink money into music let alone upkeep of the instruments.
This guy has truly mastered his craft. Well done sir!!!
That’s one of the best repairs I’ve seen before. It looked totaled in the beginning. Great work!
Hi, I just want to thank you for taking the time to make these video's. I have only just found your channel when it popped up after watching one of Art's videos and i have been binge watching them since :)
I Joined a brass band in England in 2008 as a beginner with my then 8 year old son and learned to play, I am a mechanical engineer/bodywork guy by trade and was shocked at the expense my band incurred for instrument repair and just how few repair shops there are in England.
I built a very small workshop in the garden and started to learn instrument repair and twelve years later i am well established and giving back to my banding community but it's all thanks to channels like Art's and yours.
I have had to improvise a lot of tools or just build them myself but i am always on the lookout for tips and advice on repair techniques and tools.
Great job on that horn bell btw. Never seen a bell wire so bent as that one, makes you wonder how they get that way. Was it a school instrument?
I just repaired a schools Euphonium bell that looked almost as bad as that horn.
Thanks for watching. Art is a good guy, we actually went to Redwing together. Lost touch after graduation as people got their lives together and there were no cell phones/internet.
I’m glad you find the videos helpful, and I’m very excited to hear that you practice the trade. We are a dying breed.
I’m also pleased to read that you make a lot of your own tools as well. We often have to think outside of the box to do the best job.
What I find astounding is how this was accomplished without annealing. Though, soft working the brass in this case would likely be more problematic.
My thoughts exactly. I've made copper model steam engine boilers and had to anneal multiple times. I would have thought the copper content of the brass would make this impossible, but he just did it right before our eyes.
@@mattagnew206 Do you mean, because copper is notorious for work-hardening?
@@mehere8299 Yup
Incredible! I’d never imagine that could of been fixed if I’d seen it.
That’s an incredible amount of hard work and skill.
You are a brave man repairing that horn. I would have cut the end and weld a new piece onto it just like the jewelers do when fixing a cut ring. I appraise you for your determination. Good work!
This was amazing to watch! I didn't know that a horn that smashed could be saved.... what a display of craftsmanship! Great job!
What you did to that bell is nothing shy of remarkable!
I played the horn for 10 years, but the past couple years had me practicing less and less, and now my once pride and joy sits in my apartment gathering dust. I think you've inspired me to find some time to play tomorrow.
Hows that on your front?
I work in the metal fabrication industry and I have had to repair damaged parts and remove bends placed in the wrong dimensions. It always takes patience and some very inventive tools and approaches to accomplish a successful outcome. Wes, you are the next level above a talented craftsman! It was a great video and I really enjoyed watching you accept the challenge at repairing something that many would not consider possible!
Also, knowledge of metal hardness and ductility.
Respect. With the right knowledge, tools, effort and patience no problem what so ever. A very time consuming repair. Would be interesting to hear how it became so damaged.
It got rekt
@@andrewut7ya511 ...I mean, youre not wrong
I'd guess that there was a monkey that got caught monkeying with another monkey's monkey.
@@bipedalbob hold up, you sayin you know a monkey that can play a horn!? This, i gotta see
@@andrewut7ya511 don't get me started, unless you wanna hear a story about flowers and an electronic key board. But in sure everyone has heard that story.
Having seen the ‘before,’ I’m stunned you could get it to the ‘after.’ Bravo, Sir!
That was like watching Christine! Nice recovery!
I am thoroughly impressed with how well this kind of damage can be repaired! I would have never thought someone would or could do this!
Amazing work sir. You're expertise, knowledge and dedication show!!
What happened to it that it was so messed up when it came to you?
Either way.....borderline unbelievable job!!! You clearly did a wonderful job restoring the bell!
That’s my question
@@nickknapp5782 Mine too. Was it in a case when whatever happened to it? Can't imagine how an instrument could be damaged that badly. Looks almost like intentional vandalism.
probably a school instrument, when I was in middle school about 16 years ago I saw some seriously abused brass instruments in my band class, never understood how some kids can have such an uncaring attitude towards others possessions, I guess they don't realize how expensive instruments are or they just don't care.
I agree with@@bug3518. And I presume it was done over the course of many years. Likely some children that didn't know how to properly hold the horn (among other things) and repeatedly dropping it by accident.
When I was in Middle School, some of the trumpets I would practice with had dents similar to this French Horn. Although not to this degree.
Must've been the same one Sandy used to to stuff Patrick with Lol
That is an amazing demonstration of craftsmanship. Not many people left who can do that level of repair. Thanks for sharing this.
i had a dream my trumpet looked like this and this man just fixed all my trauma from it thank you brother
Wow, what a great repair job! That much damage looked intentional,
My husband was a band instrument repairman (RIP), and I saw him doing a heap of work like this: just take care of your horn or get insurance if you can't do that. A crumpled bell is never the same again. It may be cheaper than a NEW horn, or ANOTHER horn, but who wants to deal with that the rest of their days, it's all glory to the repairer than the player who didn't watch over his own horn. Our musical instruments are our "children", so don't even LET this happen by mistake - someone's mistake!
A repair like this is similar to a "restored" (repaired) broken NECK on a violin, viola, cello or bass: it reduces the value of the instrument CONSIDERABLY, yes, considerably and when you sell the instrument it HAS TO BE PART of the deal to reveal this repair. No purchaser will want such a deal, unless they are dirt poor in buying a high quality instrument. Then they can insist on a reduced price no matter how long ago it was repaired.
Funnily enough guitar headstock repairs, where the headstock has broken off eg on a Les Paul are stronger than the original neck joint. The value is obviously negatively affected.
@@robertritchie2860 musical instruments are like people: when "broken" they can be "mended", and made "stronger", but what a pain; it is better altogether not to NEED to be repaired.
How would something like this happen?
Do instruments get crumpled up by cars?
brought a little tear to my eye -- my first instrument was a very beaten up euphonium with a crumpled bell. at the end of the school year it had been repaired by a man named mr. pachetti at jackson music in fayetteville georgia. this was around 1993. hope he is still with us and healthy.
I had a similar experience, except that my previous euphonium is probably still living a crumpled life. Fond memories of it.
What a privilege to watch a master craftsman at work.
Outstanding...
Brut force, but with a delicate touch!
Amazing restoration!
✌️
This French horn hasn’t been to the chiropractor in 10 years - with an active lifestyle and little rest, this chiropractor was able to adjust all its kinks until it felt brand new
Great to see a craftsman in action. Youngsters nowadays would probably throw it in the bin and buy a new one.
I'm always a little surprised when I end up watching these sorts of videos all the way through. Really fascinating, great watch. I was shocked there wasn't some sort of small blowtorch even at a distance to help with the molding of the horn, but I guess the friction from all the work applied was all it needed, and of course the elbow grease pulling the weight there it seems. Really cool stuff. Time to go find part two!
Was that a french horn or a used aluminum chocolate bar wrapping? You're really good at it, Kudos! 👍🏼
This was awesome to watch. I need to get my grandfather’s baritone repaired. The bell flare is almost as crumpled as the one in the video.😕
Awesome work, sir!!👍🏼👍🏼
How did that happen? Do you drag it behind your car on a rope everywhere you go?
That's incredible. Really cool to see what I thought was impossible happen. His forearms must be jacked from doing this kind of stuff all day
Great metal craftsman! This man is a talented individual who shows he knows how to be patient, persistent and takes pride in the workmanship as well.
Отличная работа! Хотелось бы услышать, как звучит поврежденный инструмент, а потом сравнить со звуком отремонтированного) Интересно, на сколько сильна разница.
My thoughts exactly!
Much like hammered cymbals, a damaged bell will have a more dry sound with less resonance.
Я думаю что звук будет выше - истонченная стенка резонатора
見る前 ホルン！大丈夫かぁ！
見た後 凄っっっっっっ✨
you have an amazing skill. wow! this is literally the coolest thing ive ever seen
Sir, you are a master craftsman. Outstanding work on that bell flair, and one hell of a work out too. Beautiful work!
はじめの状態で吹いてみてほしいって思ったの俺だけかな？
As an amateur French horn player, this hurt to watch. I'm glad he restored it 😊
BEAUTIFUL WORK !!! Know-how and Elbow-Grease & lots of BOTH !!! Thank you for posting!
Bill, from Tn. 🇺🇸
I had a Holton trombone. In Jr Hi the band was practicing a counter march. When the trombones made the turns, one of the drummers bumped me, I spun around and two trumpet players hit my trombone from each side and wrapped it around my waist. I never told my parents. The band director got the instrument fixed and my parents never knew. Whew!!
In all the years that I worked as a band instrument repairman, I never saw one as badly damaged as that!
As a former high school band student, I watched in horror as my 2nd chair fellow horn player grab and wrench the bell of the school owned horn one day as he laughed. I took care of the double horn that the school provided me. Great times.
How does that even happen? Do they damage this easily from a drop or did someone faceplant while playing?
@@kishascape The metal is fairly thin and soft, not thin and soft enough to deform with normal, careful use, however. Like I said, I have never seen one that badly damaged. I don't know this horns story, so I can't imagine what was done to it to cause that!