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Hi-
I bid and won a 3v silver Eb Helicon-complete- at an auction in Pennsylvania. Picked it up this week, and after a LOT of polishing it says "20th Century," which turns out was an import by the Progressive Musical Instrument Corp. in NYC--they were in business from 1920-50. Got everything freed up after getting it back home--very dirty, and pitch black, but all slides, valves, gooseneck, etc. all now move and horn is in amazingly nice condition--very, very few dents at all--probably sitting in a barn for 75 years...original mouthpiece came with it too. Very small--15" bell. Plays very nice, but valves, which are well used and need a heavier oil, need to be re-corked/new felts and I need to put a cork in the spit valve holder.
Posted it on Horn-U-Copia--for your viewing pleasure---an oddball that I got cheap, and might just hang it on the wall--if I can find a good bracket(s) for it so the cats don't knock it over........mark

Joe-
I had an old Distin tuba years back that my repairman at the time used diluted oven cleaner to rid it of the black tarnish, & it came out beautifully.
Thanks-
Mark

PS. The little cleaning I did do--just to see if it was marked( it WAS that black)--I used Flitz polishing cream on it--took 30 minutes just to get the markings visible. Your recommendation is Highly appreciated--my arms & shoulders thank you.

Joe-
Got the EasyOff oven cleaner, gloves, rags, sponges, garden hose,water, etc. this evening and went outside in the driveway and gave the Helicon 'the treatment'--looks like a different instrument! Very happy. Many thanks!


The 'after' Helicon with a Siamese investigating...

Mark

A curiosity that won't kill the cat...