Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: I just got a Martin cornet serial# 27628 and I didn't expect these other part I got with it. Can you tell me more about it please?

ANSWER: They aren't exactly spare parts, they are parts that replace those already on the horn to change pitch.  Horns of this vintage (early 1920s) were often made convertible so that they could be played in more than one key.  The most common were C, Bb, A, and Ab.

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QUESTION: Are they rare and is it worth investing money in repairing them?

Thank you in advance.
Louis

Answer
They are not common that they have no value, though not exactly rare.  The decision to repair it, would depend on how much is wrong with it and what your intentions for it are.  If you plan on playing it, I would think that repairing it would be worthwhile.  If you plan on selling it, you might as well let the buyer repair it as you probably won't appreciate its value as much as the costs of the repairs.