Proud 38K owner

[Zypher]

Just bought a 1929 silver 38K with a gold wash bell. It will take a lot of work repairing all the braces and dent removal. The one and only owner before me did a lot of coarse repair that may need to be undone. One repair utilized a bent penny to patch the first valve slide. Valves and slides move wonderfully. I just bathed it and did a general tarnish removal. It already looks significantly better. "Luckily" the valve section is not attached (did I mention the brace repairs needed?) which made it easy to disassemble everything and put it in the dishwasher.

I can do a lot of the dent removal with my diy mdrs. I'm looking for a local shop In MN to repair the braces properly - any recommendations?

Now, where do a get the proper valve reconditioning kit (springs felts pads - can I just use the same as another Conn?), bell screws, valves stems and buttons (currently mismatched), maybe even a first valve slide (or not - it might be a badge of honor for this workhorse of 40 years of local community parades)? Wow, that was a complex sentence!

More questions to follow as I embark on this journey...

[pdonoh]

I also have a 38k, circa 1929. It was a rescue horn, having spent its latter years on a widow's unenclosed porch. I did a few things myself at first, then quickly sought professional help. The repairs weren't as expensive as you would have thought. It is now such a fine player, that any play condition restoration was well worth it. I agree, take to a trusted repair shop that would appreciate working on some major Conn history.

[ronr]

Eric Peterson in north Minneapolis. PM if you can't find his contact information.

[Zypher]

I will not be doing any soldering that requires cosmetic results for sure, but metal work is in my wheelhouse. I've done that before on my Holton. I will inquire about the cost of dent removal to see if it is worth my time.

Here are the before pics that I know many will request...

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/Chris_B ... Conn%2038K

[Zypher]

Forgot to mention that the shoulder plate is missing. Is that an obtainable part?

[opus37]

Glad to see that you found a horn to restore. I hope the repairs work out for you.

[alloybrass]

I too, recommend Eric Peterson. His work on my Mirafone was excellent.

[bort]

Eric did great work on my Willson. I was mildly terrified driving to his house, but the repair work was done well.

Here is an older post about repair techs in the Twin Cities:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52664" target="_blank