Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have the opportunity to refurbish his Grandfather's Buescher 400 and Conn
for my grandson who is learning trumpet.  What is reasonable cost for
complete checkup and restoration of pads, etc.  I think the finishes may need
redone as well.  Is it worth the cost? or better to buy the newer ones for the
money I invest in restoration which I'm guessing would be around $1000  for
both.  Any thoughts on this?  Who should do the restoration?  Should I have
the old cases restored as well or just buy the new ones?

ANSWER: It is really hard to tell what the horns may need without being able to see them.  If you wanted to send some pictures to me at Kenton@punxypa.com, I could better tell why they may need.  I suspect that refurbishing them may be the better way to go, but  that may depend on their current condition.  Do you know what model the Conn is?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The trumpets have not been sent to me yet so no picture available.  The Conn is
from the early 50s and the Buescher 400 is from the mid 50s.
Second question..are all mouthpieces alike or are they individualized?
SK

Answer
Mouthpieces are an interesting subject.  They are standardized in the sense that for decades they all use the same shank size, so one mouthpiece will fit into any trumpet.  

(I'm assuming we are actually talking about trumpets here, as the cornet shank is also standardized, but it is different than the trumpet.)

But, different mouthpieces work better or worse with different instruments, and different players. It is an 'interface' between the two.  

The mouthpiece that comes with the horn, is designed to work well with that particular horn.   And, it is generally, designed to work with the average player. And, it is a good place to start with beginning players.

But, other mouthpieces can adjust the way the horn plays to accomodate individual players as they become proficient.