Helicon Quandry

[fairweathertuba]

Here's a Conn helicon that I, (perhaps too hastily) purchased. Anyway it seems to be a decent playing instrument, but probably could use a new valve guide or two and a new or perhaps repaired valve cap, (it pops off while playing, seems the threads are shot). Also a new spit valve cork, but with minimal work could play well enough.

Sooo, the previous owner (who actually played it on gigs) decided to have it painted because the horn was making his hands dirty when he played it. I'm guessing this happened back in the seventies sometime judging by the mod-style flowers etc. This paint probably contains lead, though I haven't tested it yet.

So, I'm in a quandry now as to what to do with the paint job. If I want to strip off the paint, many repair guys might not want the task at all. I'm afraid that if I try to strip off the paint myself, it will just turn into an ugly mess, and besides I'm not prepared to deal with the hazardous waste material (if indeed there is lead based paint involved) Also, I thought of just painting over the paint, which seemingly would be the easiest thing by far.

I bought the horn thinking I could play it on dixie gigs, but because of the paint, well now it's a quandry![img]

Other possible uses for this helicon , expensive lamp, boat anchor, wall art, steam roller test subject.

[fairweathertuba]

Wow, an auto body shop! He heh, I wouldn't have thought of that, I suppose those guys are used to not denting things up. Would a body shop use solvents and some sort of buffer? Interesting idea, however I'm a bit leery of it!

[SousaSaver]

I have a few questions I would like to ask you. I will send you a PM.

[Harvey Hartman]

I rebuilt a few Helicon in my time.. You will need to uses Kleenstrip Aircraft remover... Its a mess, But can be done and then you will need to polished it after you finished striping the Horn.. You will have a great horn and fun to play. here the last one I reuilt. Thanks Harv.

[The Big Ben]

Wow, an auto body shop! He heh, I wouldn't have thought of that, I suppose those guys are used to not denting things up. Would a body shop use solvents and some sort of buffer? Interesting idea, however I'm a bit leery of it!

Yeah, they'll use Kleenstrip "aircraft remover" but they are used to cleaning up the gooey mess that is left behind.
The other method is sanding with a 9 inch "Mud hog" (36 grit) which could go right through your horn.

"Buffing" you would expect from a body shop is very, very different from what an instrument repair tech does. And there is a big difference between what a good tech does and a so-so tech does. If you want it stripped and painted, a body shop might be able to do that. If you want it buffed like a musical instrument, you'll have to pay the price at a good tech.

[fairweathertuba]

For some reason the better part of my brain is telling me that grease monkeys and helicons wouldn't mix well under almost any circumstance. So after careful deliberation, I have decided to ask around at instrument repair shops to see if I can find a willing tech to take on the task. If that doesn't work out then I can opt for something a little less conventional.



Harv,that's a nice looking helicon.