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It's been a while since my last offering. Like most instrument repair shops, mine stays pretty busy with the general repair jobs that go in and out the door. The backlogs of major repairs and just plain complicated work tends to slow the delivery on the more dramatic projects. It also limits the time I am allowed to hang on TN. Anyway, I wanted to share this little gem from the early nineteen teens. Enjoy!

DC Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com



Its owner was gifted the instrument as a child, long ago. It spent time as a play thing in the yard and was eventually dispatched to the attic where it would reside for the next half century. The family is musical and a few years ago interest was sparked and the euphonium was retrieved from its resting place. Sadly it was found to be in an unplayable state. Mary and her husband, Joe asked if I would consider the project and of corse, I accepted.



The restoration was extensive and took quite a bit of time to complete, the owners were very patient and for that I was most grateful. Their patience afforded me the time to fabricate many of the needed parts that are long unavailable (mouth-pipe, mpc receiver, buttons, valve stems, casing threads, braces, etc) and time to restore the bell engraving.


I finished it a while ago and though the family is not now using the instrument,it is on loan to a young man who is caring for it and gaining much pleasure using it in one of the local Seattle bands. A very satisfying project all around.

Exquisite - as always. You should feel satisfied with such work!

Spectacular work!

Dan, could you give us some details on the horn, please? Manufacturer, what the engraving says, was it low pitch, did you cut it to modern pitch, etc.? Thanks.

alfredr

Beautiful work.

The Discovery network needs an instrument repair and restoration show.



That thing is just cool to look at!! (Now)

alfredr wrote:Dan, could you give us some details on the horn, please? Manufacturer, what the engraving says, was it low pitch, did you cut it to modern pitch, etc.? Thanks.

alfredr

From the engraving and finger buttons it looks like a York. Assuming that's the case, the engraving probably says something like:

Made by
JW York & Sons
Grand Rapids
Mich

Love that 4th valve wrap.
Beautiful work, as always, Dan!

Its a J.W. York euphonium, made around 1910-1914, Standard low pitch design. I did not cut the horn but did make some small modifications to the taper in mouth-pipe design when a replacement was fabricated. The buttons are custom made oversize and were modeled after the large 1.08" buttons offered on the York tubas.

The Discovery network needs an instrument repair and restoration show

Watching brass repair is like watching paint dry.

I can be difficult and at times may have a temper but I don't fish for crab (though Sig Hanson lives in the neighborhood), I have no Ink and though I may find motorcycles a tad interesting, I don't ride. I am completely unqualified for such a program. aka boring.

D.C. Oberloh

Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:

Watching brass repair is like watching paint dry.

I am completely unqualified for such a program. aka boring.

D.C. Oberloh

1) That's what editing is for.

2) That's why "reality" shows follow a script!!

Thanks for the information. I thought I saw some similarities to my Grand Rapids euph of the same time frame, but am no expert.

alfredr

Interesting. I wasn't aware York ever made euphoniums. Incredible restoration!