Vintage Conn Trombone Restoration- plating, dent work, polishing- band instrument repair

In this episode, Wes restores and resurrects a 1934 Conn trombone
Some Topics include:
Polish styles
Plating immersion and Brush
Dents
Slide alignment Among others

[@fluffernutter0923]

I wish I knew how to get into this trade , its always been a dream of mine since the repair guy came to school and fixed my tuba 8 years ago

[@captainchaos3667]

Make it happen. There are schools for this. Or maybe find a metal working school or something like that first. Are there any instrument repairers near you? Maybe they would take you on as an apprentice? Or tell you how to get into it?

[@Euphonium_boi]

How’s it going

[@alanpotter4264]

A trombone player myself, I really appreciate the skill and artistry you demonstrate in these repair/restorations. I've had some less than skilled work done on one of my trombones and the difference is astounding in performance. Your videos are well done and super informative.

[@fhsmarchingbandrookie9773]

I play trombone too

[@paulalmquist5683]

I wish I had an instrument to send to you just to watch you work on it. Alas, I no longer have my trombone nor euphonium. They are in the hands of others hopefully bringing joy to them. I am happy listening to others play.

[@justhaulincars]

Thorough "resurrection" of this Conn T-bone. I played a King 2B tenor trombone when I was in high school, wish I still had that beast.

[@w056007568]

Just outstanding results and I can tell that you are rightly proud of the result. Dan

[@williamhall7165]

Mr Lee. In todays throw it away society lots of trades are vanishing. You sir are what my father and grandfather called a true craftsman. You have a talent on loan from God and I have much respect for you and your craft.

[@kristimiller-lee2338]

You played alchemist on this one. Impressive science and great way to offer an additional service.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Fun stuff. The trade is always learning and pushing forward

[@thedeihl]

Very cool, I play the sax, my father played the trombone, this is an excellent channel I'm happy to subscribe

[@dilligafdude9434]

Patina on that trombone was gorgeous and almost told a story about how loved she was. But the restoration is gorgeous still as well. :)

[@wyatt-rocks]

Wes, excellent work. I also have this exact trombone, inherited from my grandparents who played every instrument and were world missionaries. Back in the 50s they recorded a lot of gospel bluegrass on a record lathe using their instruments. Maybe someday I can get it to you for a musical resurrection! Keep doing great work.

[@peternotarfrancesco2614]

The 76th trombone is ready for the Big Parade.

[@murraykriner9425]

Always love watching you work on these lovely older instruments. Know if I ever take up the trombone in the future that I would rather find a vintage instrument that needed some care and have you work your magic on it. That was incredible how you finessed her back into proper trim. A fabulous piece of workmanship.

[@Overlycomplicatedswede]

as a trombone player myself. that trombone is absolutely gorgeous once you finished it up! i would be absolutly honored to play on a vintage horn like that!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Beautiful restoration, Wes! I really enjoyed watching the whole process, especially with plating the bare spots. I'm sure the owner of the horn was super happy with it!

[@nanettebarling1222]

I played a Conn trombone. It was silver plated with Pan engraved on the bell. The bell didn't have a bead on the bell, it was just cut. Way back in 67 lol. I had to polish it all the time. I hated it! I tried so many compounds on it and in my opinion the easiest to use and lasted the longest was plain old Glass Wax in the pink can! Great video!

[@francesnieznay6623]

as a guitar and bass player I love the horn section.

[@JayRobinson76]

I have never owned an instrument. But I find your craftsmanship and commentary enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your craft with us.

[@FilosophicalPharmer]

I could watch a craftsman work all day long. Helps me avoid the "fake it til you make it" people out there. Kudos!

[@nmccw3245]

As a Jr. High / High School trombone player, I appreciate the care given to restore that old Conn. 😁👍🏻

[@typoagain1]

I learned on an old Conn with a copper bell. I wish I had it back. It was given to me to learn on simply because my parents couldn't afford to buy one. I eventually had it reconditioned myself and later passed it on to another beginner.

[@adobedirtblues1321]

Made my day watching this

[@megamediker]

Roland again, it's fascinating. I do like conserving the old things. So thanks for having me. Roland from good old Germany

[@Michael_Dangelo]

A true craftsman.

[@murraycatto1]

Still a beauty all the from the 1930s. Awesome restoration. Would like to see more owners playing their music after the restoration.

[@feedflo]

People subscribe and watch because it is something worth the time. Thanks Wes!

[@CaptJerry]

Yep, stunning Wes, wow

[@wirenutjoe]

You Sir are an artist

[@mitchellstevens9486]

Brother Wes, I found your videos today 4/2/22 by accident and I have watched 5 already this mornining. I am a Financial Advisor and do not play an instrument, but I am always the biggest fan of great craftsmen. I am facinated and impressed with what you do! New Fan Mitch S

[@KenPaisley]

I have been a fabricator welder and auto mechanic my whole life, but this takes it to the artist level. Paint hides a multitude of sins, but bare metal shows them all.

[@johnhogg9756]

Used to own a very old 48h constellation which was the 2nd best tone I ever heard from a bone… the best was a friends King with a hallmarked silver bell. What a lovely restoration :)

[@combobulus]

This channel deserves so many more subscribers. Always wondered how this stuff is done

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks

[@cheknfaks]

I like how you put the love into every detail and especially the cleaning and prep work. Much respect.

[@nate-campbell-music]

Wow. Beautiful product.

[@thomasdolby8929]

You’re gifted.

[@philipershler420]

Sir, I don’t play or repair any of the instruments that you share with us. But it is such a pleasure to watch a true artisan at work. I truly appreciate your respect and care you take with vintage pieces. You really use very few machines, most everything you do is by hand and by feel. And I the case of the slides, your accurate eye sight.

[@Eupher6]

I'm glad I encountered your site and your page, and am impressed with your skills. I'm just a euph, bass trombone, and tuba player over some 50 years and I see what you're all about -- you're the real deal. Thank you, and best to you in the future.

[@alphabeets]

Great work, brother.

[@TheMrAshley2010]

WOW! what a beautiful 90 (give or take) year old horn! Great work Wes!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks for watching!

[@QMore-fp7wn]

Beautiful work. Just relaxing watching a true craftsman at work. I’m a trombone and euphonium player and love when people restore those old classic horns. Would love to pick up and old Besson euphonium and have it restored.

[@norbertogrigatti761]

Complimenti!! E molto interessante il video delle riparazioni su i strumenti musicali.

[@pedalcarguy]

That brush plating is an interesting process! Beautiful restoration of the slide trombone, thank you for sharing!

[@jonathanhall7903]

Craftsman like you amaze me with your diverse skillset!

[@jonas2431]

that's a cool plating process

[@johannesdesloper8434]

I like crafts... seen a couple of your vids. Awesome work!

[@AlexandreFerreira-lj4dp]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom Mr. Lee. A great hug from Brazil

[@marcuscicero9587]

beautiful project for you, a terrific treat for me watchin someone who cares about what he does

[@timothybutler7669]

Beautiful work

[@tubadylan]

What an incredible job! Beautiful trombone! Thanks for your videos. I’m happy I found your channel! -Dylan

[@williampogue2940]

Really nice work.

[@francissmith9443]

I have an early 1900s Conn trombone in its original case, passed on to me by my family. It needs quite a bit of work.

[@mcesarey]

As an old trombone player that played Conns, I love this!

[@dennisrohm6372]

Great eye for detail

[@MrGrunge88]

Wes' hat game really betrays his preferred style of musical instrument.

[@SingerGuy59]

Your channel came up randomly in my feed. I don't know I've ever watched a brass instrument resurrection before, so not sure why it is here, but as a baritone player from decades ago (and now a classically-trained vocalist) I was interested and gave it a watch … and was hooked. I've binge-watched about six so far and just subscribed. You are a rare breed of craftsman and I am enthralled watching you work your magic on these hapless instruments.

[@deansheley6512]

Amazing Wes!

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

Excellent work, great channel. My wife would like to suggest that in the evenings while you’re watching tv you could get some hand lotion (or even Vaseline for extreme cases), apply liberally, and then wrap your hands either in paper towels, or you could even have your hands in like a plastic bag or something so that it really soaks in and heals your dry skin. 😊 Thanks again for a magnificent channel !!

[@juanfontanez2187]

VERY GOOD JOB IN THE HOUSE

[@tomnick5787]

Nice work!

[@larryburrough3024]

Outstanding! You are quite the Skilled Tradesman!

[@ericcommarato7727]

I saw the Hub City Allstars sign on you door...and I said to my self, hmmm that's what they used to call Hattiesburg! Just up the road from you here in Madison, MS. Sure enjoy your videos! I have three pretty old trombones, 2 Conns and A Bach 42. Would sure like to get them refurbished some day. Thanks for posting!

[@jjschm20]

What a beautiful trombone.

[@Chris-2-of-3]

Never seen a silver trombone before - it's gorgeous!

[@pebblebeach8517]

Great work we appropriate your talent and passion ….it’s wonderful to watch do this work

[@mikescudder4621]

Came out great!!

[@rudytbone]

Gorgeous!

[@garybrady9531]

Love seeing the wonderful work you do

[@NoahMazraani]

Beautiful work Wes! Someday I'll have to send in my marching trombone, I'm sure you'd have a blast lol.

[@josephpetito1351]

Outstanding!

[@johnjenkinsmusic1]

I love your work!

[@jesserodriguez9883]

I thoroughly enjoy this channel Mr. Lee. Thanks very much. There is nothing like a seasoned (NOT OLD:) horn.

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

I don't work on musical instruments. but I've done similar work for over 30yrs. It is hard to convey the deftness and touch you've developed in your skills for people to comprehend just how difficult this is to do. When people watch what I do and I explain it to them. They are amazed. Craftsmen are truly special people with amazing skills that few will ever have in their lives.

[@dennishensley3073]

Super work

[@SadieAtCollege]

beautiful horn!! thanks for sharing this knowledge, always nice to see how it's done

[@thomengel9720]

Incredible work on this horn!

[@erniearruda8861]

Nice work on that almost 100 year old horn, Wes👍🏻. For the satin polish I degrease the horn with soap and water then i use a liquid polish called Tarnx (here in Canada) brights it up to a whitish brightness then I use the allied polishing cloth to finish it off. Now I go to work and laying pipe , and make some money 😎🇨🇦

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks Ernie! I picked up some of that TarnX, I don’t know if US regs have it so watered down or what, but it did not work, that’s when I found the wright’s. And yes, finish off with the allied cloth. Glad to hear you are getting busy again and laying pipe! Get it!

[@erniearruda8861]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 I had no issues with Tarnx up here.Wow that’s kinda weird cause Canada has strict chemicals laws then US. Maybe you got a bad batch.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

@@erniearruda8861 talked to my guy at Ace hardware this morning, think May have gotten bad batch. I’m going to get a new bottle when shipment arrives.

[@erniearruda8861]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 I have a buddy musician in Kentucky that likes to collect old horns ,He got a couple of rare birds of a old G bass trombone and it was heavy tarnished.He asked what is good to take the black tarnish around the intricate ferrules and braces , told to get Tarnx at full strength with a paint brush and brush it on, he was amazed of the out come.Old bosey and hawks and salvation army where the bones he has.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

@@erniearruda8861 when I get the new bottle, will test and let you know.

[@dougberrett8094]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks

[@anna-lisagirling7424]

I'm not a musician of any stripe but I love watching artists in a trade. I have 2 questions: How old was this trombone and how old does an instrument need to be before it's considered "vintage"? And, are many young people stepping up to learn these skills and tricks of the trade and do you do "apprentice" training? (I guess that's 3 questions. . . humor me; I'm "vintage" myself! I love your channel. You are a natural for these KZbin videos. I will never go to a jazz club, symphony performance, drum and bugle corps competition or a parade again without all my newly found knowledge of these classic instruments.

[@offairhead]

@ 1:32 I’ve just rescued an entire slide trombone that looks like that. That’s what brought me to you.

[@mikef.1000]

Stunning work, thanks for sharing your experience accumulated through hard work. I also love the fact that you're up for learning new techniques, viz. the brush plating.

[@optiTHOMAS]

Absolutely beautiful! Such a nice restoration! That silver is gorgeous! I love old instruments! They really make you think how long they've been around, who played it, where it's been, and just how loved it was! Makes you think anytime you see an old horn with some battle scars! 😅😆 i only wish we got to hear that beauty in its finished state! good stuff, man! ❤️😁👍🏻

[@jackcantrell791]

That's pretty sick how you do that I didn't know y'all could do all that kind of stuff

[@sinnerG7]

You’re the Uncle Doug of brass instruments

[@pernillemakholm645]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing. ❤️

[@johnsonluisfariacorrea818]

I loved your work a lot of dedication and patience .... a big hug from Brazil

[@brayrve4970]

That trombone looks amazing great job on the restoration

[@randyclyde4939]

Wonderful! Thanks, Wes!

[@trig6712]

Brilliant many thanks

[@markcameron-smith]

Wonderful work. Amazing to see such a passionate and skilled repair.

[@DynamicDurge]

I just know this channel is gonna pick up! Love the videos Mr. Wes Lee

[@wayneforbes7671]

Wes, It's a pleasure to watch you work. I'm a car guy learning sheet metal work. Your skills are an inspiration even in a different scenario. Subscribed to enjoy more of your content. Keep up the great work. Wayno

[@TAllyn-qr3io]

When in grade school, I started with the coronet. The next year the baritone and finally the bass trombone. I really enjoyed playing any instrument in the brass family. Once in HS, band was really interfering with every sport, from football, basketball, baseball and track. Glad I was in school when band was mandatory? 🙂 Great job on every repair that you do by the way. 🤘🤘🤘

[@MrJazz-yp9wg]

You're the man Wes! Keep at it sir because you do it great.

[@WDON2010]

That is absolutely gorgeous

[@finoman100]

I'm getting into restoration and I like that brush plating...gonna need to find out more about it.

[@erastovazquez3589]

Gracias por su ilustración son muy interesantes felicidades maestro

[@javierbiaggi3072]

Great! Beautiful instrument liberated.

[@kevinprice4213]

Beautifully done 👍

[@sallyhinkebein257]

I found your channel yesterday. You do amazing ressurection work. That trombone is stunning!

[@sinatrabone]

Absolutely stunning work. Makes me want to purchase an old horn I've seen on reverb and send it your way!

[@derek7676]

Great Videos Wes. I enjoy your style. 🇦🇺

[@michaelblair3357]

Great video. I’m just now finding the channel. I would be very interested to see more of the electroplating… both for technique and satisfaction.