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I'm just wondering how much time and labor is involved with repairing a damaged bell like the one in the posted picture? Just trying to get an idea how much money I'll need to spend if I pick up a horn like this. Thanks!

On a budget....
- Strip the bell and the large ferrule.
- Strip and remove the leadpipe.
- Remove the bell from the horn.
- If the bell has not been rolled out previously and has no rips or creases that are folded over it can probably be rolled out without any problems.
- Put the bell and leadpipe back on the horn.

NO REFINISHING OTHER THAN A VERY LIGHT BUFF

Probably around $200 plus the return postage and I can put it back in the packing the way it was sent to me.

If you want it perfect.... send it to Bloke!

Thanks for the ballpark figures, guys! No, I'm not interested in having it refinished. Does this kind of damage to a bell affect the sound much?

bloke wrote:

Polkahero wrote:Thanks for the ballpark figures, guys! No, I'm not interested in having it refinished. Does this kind of damage to a bell affect the sound much?

That's enough of a change that I would guess, "Yes"...but how can anyone know (prior to any restoration towards the previous shape) whether the effect would be "good" or "bad" ?

If you live a reasonable distance from Williston, TN, I'd take bloke up on his offer. An experienced guy like him would give you your money's worth or a little more and, if nothing else was bad about your horn, it would play fine.

What would motivate you to strip the lacquer? Because after all that heating and beating the lacquer will look extra crummy, or does it interfere with the roller work or something, or just everything's better without lacquer? Too bad the joints/ferrules aren't silver plated for easy scorch free disassembly [ebay joke.]

The Big Ben wrote:If you live a reasonable distance from Williston, TN, I'd take bloke up on his offer.

Offer to mow his lawn, I bet he'll like that.

Donn wrote:What would motivate you to strip the lacquer? ....

1) It's been my experience that it's nearly impossible to roll out a bell that's bent up that bad while it's still on the horn. I don't think a person could get much rolling done in the space between the bell and the top bow.
2) Removing the bell and leadpipe from the horn is also virtually impossible to do without burning the lacquer. Hence... stripping the bell and leadpipe before hand.
3) It's also impossible to smooth out that bell without leaving tons of 'witness' marks and distressed lacquer.

I'm a firm believer that raw brass looks better than crappy lacquer.

Sure... I could stick my handy-dandy roller in a vice and work some or most of the wrinkles out of the bell but it would look like Hell. If that's all a person wanted I would do it for $50.

I could do a MUCH better job on the dent machine. That's gonna cost a dab more.

Curmudgeon wrote:I'm booked out a ways between the obvious crush of year-end school repairs and a couple of impatient requests for "silk purse out of sow's ear" instrument builds, so I'm not seeking work off TubeNet, just commenting...

Me neither. I just like to aggravate Bloke!

I don't go looking for this kind of work but it occasionally comes through the door.

Sounds good Bloke, not! So I take it you repair guys somewhat loath these type of fixes? What kind of machinery/tools do you guys use to straighten these out?

bloke wrote:Bring your 25 db damping headphones (ready to mow for eight hours or so), your own ice chest, and that crappy tuba - sometime in July...

...It could be a wonderful...uh...VACATION (YEAH, THAT'S IT !) for you.

You didn't even mention the fishing rod. What were you thinking.