Holton Trumpet Repair- New tool setups- Band Instrument Repair

Repairing this Holton trumpet and getting more reps on the Ferree’s mini Z. Trying new solder flux among other techniques

[@littleoldladyfrompasadena831]

That is my daughter's trumpet that I played in high school 🥰 awesome job!!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

So glad you are happy with the work! Thanks so much!

[@bobboscarato1313]

Hope your daughter treats her trumpet better next time!

[@Ruben41441]

@@bobboscarato1313 lmao its a school loaned instrument so yea it wont be take. Care of its more than likely been played by over 40 different people cuz thats an old trumpet

[@bobboscarato1313]

@@Ruben41441 It looks pretty beat up!

[@samanthony5365]

@@Ruben41441 it might not be school loaned, I played in band and I didn't get it from the school

[@gordonforguson1967]

As a former handworker in the aircraft industry, I must say, You Sir are an artist at what you do ! I was especially intrigued by the bell restoration of a trumpet you did recently.

[@w00dw0rks101]

I am a tradesman of 40 years in fine woodworking. I love that you tube can bring us a window into instrument repair. Thank you for this Wes.

[@kristimiller-lee2338]

I liked the Seek and Destroy reference. That horn really needed a good loving and you did that for sure.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

And in my opinion it is the perfect tempo for dent work. Horn came out great. Thanks for watching.

[@JohnnyBeesh]

"Gotta knock this trumpet out really quick..." Then performs a brass manipulation miracle making it look as easy as making frozen waffles. I love watching you work, man. Very cool stuff.

[@philiphoverman8458]

I just found your channel today and am very impressed with your skills and attention to detail. After retiring as a HS band director, I went to an area music store and repaired instruments for about 7 years. It was a pleasure to watch you utilize so many of the techniques and tools that I used to use when trying to resurrect a badly damaged instrument. I thoroughly enjoyed watching you work your magic on this old Holton trumpet. Thanks for recording this and sharing it with us!

[@TheWmiller8]

I am so glad I stumbled a lot this channel.Wes is saving performing arts one instrument at a time. Putting world class reliable energy into the restoration

[@jamesburnett7085]

As I watch your amazing skills at work I wonder about the economics of repair costs versus value of instrument after you fix it. This reminds me of the question millions of Americans ask themselves: "Should I pay to get this car fixed, or just buy a new one?" Fortunately, musical instruments are not designed to self-destruct as much as automobiles are. I love watching you bring these instruments back from the dead. I imagine great beauty coming from each resurrected piece. Bravo, Maestro!

[@coreycleven8414]

That's a great point; a single instrument of good manufacture can really be a lifelong investment. My wife and her mother like to trade the same flute whenever one or the other is doing a concert. I'm pretty sure it's decades old and we'll keep passing it back and forth like a baton for decades more.

[@bobboscarato1313]

Spoiled kids who don't know the value of the dollar ruin everything; after all mom or dad fork out their hard earned money!

[@randymagnum143]

Musical instruments and automobiles will last as long as they are maintained. Fortunately though for musical instruments, they are not exposed to millions of tons of road salt.

[@jarretsusswein4812]

@@randymagnum143 Just Cheetos

[@markfrost2707]

but see--you cant just buy my 1954 Holton or many other vintage brass instruments. Like all instruments--the older--the more valuable (for the most part)

[@mearkitek3773]

Man that was incredible… I played trumpet for many years, many years ago. I wouldn’t have believed it was possible to fix this one!

[@hwile]

This has no impact of my life in term of like, learning anything that I could use. But as a former trumpet player, I can't help but just admire the work you do in all your videos.

[@MrGilliardMusicToo]

The thing I'm learning the most from your videos (aside from technique) is that the right tools make the job much easier. Though I've done some 'good enough to be in a kid's hands' repairs (including restoring crushed tuba bells....using the shaft of an old Manhassett stand, a large wooden dowel and a rubber mallet), this would go much faster and look much better with the right tools. Thank you for these videos.

[@touktwo]

I adore watching videos of crafts people who obviously have years of experience and a passion for their craft, it's so satisfying.

[@petrumahalean1806]

I love your videos. You bring new life for old instruments .

[@mikedaflexta]

I went to Samuel J Green middle school in New Orleans in the early 90s. Our Band teacher and director was Mr. Larry Miles. We were a poor inner-city school with very little in the budget for instruments, let alone instrument repair. Mr. Miles use to go out and buy broken instruments with his own money. He was doctor Frankenstein with a soldering iron. My 7th grade year we had 10 Trumpets, 2 F-horns, 6 Tubas, 3 marching Baritones, and 6 Trombones. My 8th grade year we had 18 Trumpets, 6 F-horns, 8 Tubas, 6 Baritones, and 11 Trombones. In one summer Mr Miles had purchased and repaired over 20 brass instruments. They were not pretty, but they worked. He was able to attract more students to band and at least 8 of his former students I knew went on to college on music scholarships. It gives me great pleasure watching you bring life back to these instruments.

[@1ProDiverAdventurer]

Wes, I work in the metal arts every day your a true master at what you do. Thank for sharing your talent.

[@Finn-McCool]

This is where I came in, had to go back to the beginning to see them all. This must be the one KZbin is promoting. Thank goodness for that. A diverse viewing portfolio is more enjoyable!

[@tommurphy4895]

It warms my heart to see this instrument made playable again. You're words "back into the players hands" are what it's all about. Instruments are made to be played and it's sad to see one destroyed or ruined. I don't think there are many artists like yourself who would put the effort into a student model horn. I love to see it!

[@kennethconnors5316]

its a privilege to watch your craftmanship,,,,,, Well Done

[@Michigan_Tactical]

It's a joy to watch you work, it's good to these repaired and not thrown away.

[@robertwheeler4068]

You are a truly amazing and gifted ARTISAN of your craft! Just watched both the tuba and trumpet surgery! You have given them both a chance again to keep the music playing!👍🎵🎶

[@williamburr5422]

Always love to watch your repair work Wes Lee.

[@matto9734]

I recently started playing trumpet and that led me to getting interested in related stuff. Great channel and good to see masters at work. It´s crazy what can be saved... Cheers from Berlin/Germany ;-)

[@ChrinWolfe]

Nice to see this horn come back to life, and the tools and techniques you used. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@jerrycratsenberg989]

I have worked as a craftsman all of my life and have found that many skills and techniques travel well from one discipline to another. I do not repair band instruments, but I do learn valuable information every time I watch one of your videos. Thanks a bunch for sharing you knowledge and skills.

[@shredct3118]

It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one singing “seek and destroy “ while I work. I work for a water company and when I read meters I sing it every time I walk into a yard to get a reading. And now I will always think of Wes Lee!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Gorilazz.]

man i just came across your channel and i love watching you fix brass intruments! ive been playing trumpet for 20 years now.

[@VoodooDewey69]

Great job Wes ,I've had many a mishap on the bandstand ,thanks to guys like you the horns can play again.

[@alphabeets]

Man, you are a master. I can’t imagine you ever running out of work. I think this my favorite KZbin channel now. Keep it going!

[@MyTwinone]

I love watching someone good at what they do. Awesome 👍 I just found a Horton Collegiate C602 horn at a garage sale that i picked up for $40.00. Looks to be in very good shape, but i wish you were my neighbor, l'd send it over to you for a little TLC.

[@kiwi_kirsch]

this is sooo amazing to watch. i do fix, maintain and repair everything myself, and i love your work.

[@cheknfaks]

I'm in need of tools to work on mine still. I have some that are damaged and want to revive. These techniques work well and very helpful. Thank you Wes.

[@choke666]

Lol, i'm impressed!! As soon as you said 'seek and destroy' i thought the same thing. -And then when you gave Metallica props, my mind was officially blown!!! 🤯🤣🤘 ROCK ON BROTHA! AWESOME JOB BTW. I Don't know a thing bout horns, but you came up in my suggested so i gave you a try... Very addictive!!

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

Love your videos Wes. Well done for bringing instruments back to life to be further enjoyed. Regards Matt (UK)

[@leeswift4967]

That polish is fantastic with a cheese cloth, great job. I don't understand why so many are kinda destroyed, need more care, not sloppy handling. You are a MIRACLE WORKER!!!!!!!!!.

[@roccotarulli2464]

Skills of a craftsman are always wonderful to watch. Very nice.

[@alanwbelcher]

Thanks for showing us around and bringing this trumpet back from the brink.

[@ricardosantana8586]

This gentleman makes miracles, I love watching him fixing any kind of instruments, god bless you and a hug from Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 👍🏾👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@grahammorgan9635]

What a superb pair of hands at work, so good to watch as with all damaged metal you have to put the metal back not take it away. Thanks Wes you are a very talented technician.

[@aljurje]

Wow, you did such a great job fixing that trumpet. And thanks for sharing.

[@shadeinthemist]

Your content is very relaxing to watch. I play some instruments, although I have no real interest in repair work I still greatly enjoy your videos. I think you're really onto something here, you're hitting the ASMR viewers :)

[@kirkrogers6968]

Thank you. Great job. This is a great trade. I am a craftsman myself. Love seeing you work. It is also a trade that is getting lost. Without you so many would be lost. Brass instruments all over are happy you helped them man!

[@jpenn727]

Back in HS (1984) I dropped my horn and bent the bell, I was devastated. My father and I took it to the repair shop in Tampa and the repair tech allowed us to watch. It was amazing to see him do his work. I remember him used ball bearings, in various sizes to remove some of the dents. The bell work was cool, he had a metal template to work against. It made me appreciate working with your hands.

[@RickyD1968]

WOW I cant believe how good you are at fixing these messed up wind instruments and making them look new again !!!!!!!

[@TombstoneThe]

as soon as you said "seek and destroy" i was already thinking about metallica... glad we were on the same page lol

[@bsmcdonald70]

I am greatly impressed with both your skills and attitude. Thanks from a long-time retired engineer. Entertainment plus ... Thanks.

[@robertgoss4842]

Wow. Real, hands-on craftsmanship. What a great show! Sadly, it reminds me of how inept I am at any kind of tool use or handcrafting. I salute anyone who can hone a skill like yours.

[@MrJazz-yp9wg]

Mr. Wes Lee....you're the man! Awesome fantastic job. I just subscribed. I enjoy watching what you do. You make the impossible happen.

[@RobMods]

As a guitar tech, I use super glue all the time and yes it is pretty nasty on the lungs and eyes. FWIW, it will wipe away fairly easily with acetone, although acetone may also soften certain lacquers, so test it on an inconspicuous part. There is also a super glue remover made by Loctite which is very effective. Thanks for the great content!

[@davidmckean955]

Besides the issues with lacquer, acetone is considered a carcinogen now and can be rapidly absorbed through the skin. So it's something to be careful with.

[@BruceBoschek]

Fantastic job. It can go right back into Herb Alpert's hands for some more Tijuana Brass! 🙂

[@nimravus01]

It's amazing to see how such a badly damaged horn can be brought back to life. I just picked up a used horn that needs a little TLC, (nothing as serious as the horn in the video.) Hopefully my local shop has even half the skill you demonstrated here. Cheers!

[@dansandman9507]

Always nice to see a craftsman at work

[@gregcarnes80]

Brings back memories! Some good! Ferree's taught me everything I knew!

[@rajashekarashekara9131]

Awesome work it impressed me a lot. I am from India 🇮🇳 today I saw your video. Thank you so much 💓

[@DCronk-qc6sn]

Such a pleasure to watch a master do their thing. Wow

[@frankcerovsky2662]

Amazing workmanship... classic "old style" repairs... love the Metallica reference!!! Keep the videos coming!!

[@jackreeves3001]

Nice job . Always a pleasure to watch a craftsman! Thanks for sharing your time and talent! KANSAS

[@duckrock55]

I am volunteering for a nonprofit in San Francisco and will be doing "lite" repairs to instruments before getting them back to kids. Thank you, this is very helpful.

[@vladimirmandic204]

It was pleasure to watch your work. Fantastic. Best regards!

[@brandoncoleman4140]

Wow, I used to have a trumpet EXACTLY like that. Old Holton of the same model with rotten lacquer, dented bell and everything. It was a real piece of junk but I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. I tore it apart and sawed it to pieces for a little bit of fun but now I wish I hadn’t. It had some sentimental value to it.

[@Nicholas_Devine]

Just watching this video made me want to take out my old Yamaha that I've had for over 30 years. Still in fabulous condition. I take it out a few times a year to maintain it and play a little bit.

[@PaulO-gx2bn]

Really learned some great lessons - many thanks for your mastercraftman guidance.

[@trptguy23]

band director for 10+ years and living on an island in the middle of the bering sea, with no repair shop, (made famous by a certain fishing show on discovery). I'll be going to a repair workshop in July and hope I can learn all I can; these instruments have been around forever, and it's too damn expensive to fly them out to get them fixed.

[@deadbang241]

A miracle in front of our eyes !! Super nice.

[@dougberrett8094]

One of your most interesting videos. Thanks.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks. Hope I didn’t talk to much! Haha

[@10ephoto]

So satisfying to see it restored.

[@skitzochik]

i just can not imagine the kind of patients it must take to do something like this. impressive sir.

[@CaptainWizard3000]

The damage to this horn looks similar to that of a cornet I bought at a garage sale for $1! Hopefully someday mine will look like you finished product! You are amazing at what you do!

[@SteelBlue911]

Good Night!!! You totally did some serious body work on that horn. Great work. I always wondered how those types of repairs are done.

[@robjenhen]

Well that was very interesting. Having the right tools for the job always makes it easier. My wife doesn't believe me!

[@adamwills1783]

Absolutely superb, fascinating - thank you for the channel.

[@Confused_Philosopher]

I bet this guy has incredibly strong hands from doing this work for years. This was fascinating to watch.

[@bonerici]

That's a lot of work just for a holton. Great work as always

[@chigitakazuhiro7835]

I like to watch the guitar repair, but never seen brass instruments fix. It is super cool the way you can fix the dents like that!

[@adeo888]

That was amazing to watch!

[@rrice1705]

That was really neat to watch. My friend and I both had nasty crush dents we had to have taken out of our horns but until now I didn't know how they fixed them.

[@timfisher77]

I truly respect your talent expertise and the special tools! thank you for taking the time to make vids. On a side note I hate hate hate wobbly work benches and loose bolted down vices. Let me suggest you bolt that workbench to the floor

[@coloradomountainman8659]

Howdy Wes. Love watching your work. Came upon this site by sheer accident and am now addicted. Even though I've no interest per se in musical instruments, I find watching your use of what is to me alien tools to be most fascinating. Master carpenter of 50 years, architect, motorcycle and antique car restorer, horse trainer, welding and fabricating, and countless other endeavors has left me with an intrinsic quantity of specialized and many uncommon tools as well. With that being said, another channel I happened across was "wristwatch revival" with Marshall. Again, I'm not really any more interested in old watches than the next guy, but watching Marshall at work with his plethora of specialized tools is quite relaxing and satisfying. Thanks for sharing, Wes!

[@willmorrison1022]

If I may be so bold, you should check out a guy named Pablo Cimidevila (sp?). He is a jeweler who is one of the most amazing craftsmen and artists I've ever seen. He turns things like brass bolts and large nuts into incredible works of art. I saw him a few years ago and was blown away by the stuff I saw. It took me a few videos to realize that he is in a wheel chair. Then I found out that he is also a world class para-Olympian swimmer. Like being the most amazing hand tool working person I've ever seen wouldn't be enough. I have learned a LOT from watching how he does the things he does. He has a channel.

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

@@willmorrison1022 another craftsman that I enjoy is Stinnett Sticks… one of the most awesome realistic wildlife carvers and painters out there…. And he’s usually doing it on Walking Sticks!!

[@willmorrison1022]

@@sassafrasvalley1939 Another item that has traditionally been elaborated on by creative people. How cool. I will check out his work. Thanks for the heads up.

[@tommurphy4895]

How does a horn get damaged that badly? Seem like you'd have to drop it several times. Great work and very pleasing and satisfying to watch.

[@general5104]

THANK YOU, WES LEE, Sir. You are APPRECIATED.

[@carloutube]

Smart stuff nicely done

[@rubensalphajunior]

Amazing job! Greetings from Brazil.

[@recordman555]

Excellent work, dude!

[@cpmusicservices8185]

Its always interesting to see how someone else does the same job. Awesome work!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks. Always critiquing myself, I should have done all stem dents at same time since I had that mandrel cued up. Couple of other changes I’ll make to my workflow as well.

[@willmorrison1022]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 As a musician, I know that you can learn a LOT from video "taping" yourself and watching what you're doing (odd that we still use the term taping. When was the last time you SAW a tape, let alone used one?). It's a great tool. Just one of many you definitely have. I'm jealous of some of your machines, jigs and fixtures. But I don't know where I'd use them. I build in wood. Odd that you get so many woodworkers who love watching you. Keep it up, I'm really enjoying watching you do this stuff. Thanks for doing it and letting us watch.

[@CaptainRon1913]

@@willmorrison1022 Nothing odd about us woodworkers watching. Woodworker's are craftsman. Craftsman like watching other craftsman. We also enjoy steel fabrication or any other type of fabrication. It's just fun watching craftsman do their magic

[@willmorrison1022]

@@CaptainRon1913 Isn't that the truth? I am constantly amazed by the work others do, and I try to learn what I can to add to my own skills. Are you familiar with a guy named Pablo Cimidevila? He is here on youtube, he's a jeweler. He is one of the most amazing hand tool (and some machine, too) worker I have ever seen. The things he turns brass bolts into are incredible. Then you realize that the guy is in a wheelchair. Absolutely worth watching.

[@josephtein3835]

Another inspiring video. Wish we could have had a closer look at around the 3:30 mark ... couldn't see what you were doing. Also, the problem with the super glue fumes and you mentioning your new non-toxic flux: it would be interesting to see a presentation on how to stay protected from the toxic chemicals we might run into when working on instruments. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

Acetone will soften and dissolve most super glue. Is there some reason for heating the glue and wiping it off rather than using acetone or some other solvent?

[@matthewharlowehrscyclespor668]

LOL.... "Tasty". Have a Deluxe weekend Wes!

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

True craftsman. Subbed.

[@joemillson6284]

Love this!! Keep on making the videos!

[@marceloschlabitz1169]

Thats a amazing shop!

[@Glockodile]

Good reaction on catching that valve rolling!

[@ivorwm2291]

You are a true artist

[@zangsax]

Very nice work.

[@sammyrothrock6981]

Great Job Wes

[@apfelsnutz]

Really great job !!!

[@MADnLIVID]

I love your channel and wish you success my friend.

[@alexandrsherbakov9878]

excellent work. Respect.

[@lotsabirds]

Incredible Job!!

[@mccypr]

Fascinating stuff! One would think that the instrument was a goner. Thanks! 😎🌞🌞🎻

[@that_thing_I_do]

Yumpin' Yimminy...the guns on this guy! No wonder metal bends to his command.

[@thierryremy1298]

Un p’tit coucou de France 🇫🇷 Franchement tu travail super bien 👍 bravo 😉

[@billross6088]

what you do is just awesome!!!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks