Antique Musical Instruments/e flat Boosey Horn

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/19/2009


Question
QUESTION: Can you tell me anything about the following horn?  E flat tenor horn, Boosey & Co makers 295 Regent St London 39028, Emil Wulscher Sole Agent U.S. Indianapolis, Ind.
Compensating pistons, Patent 17th June 1879, No 216595

ANSWER: In the US, they are generally known as alto horns, this one was made by Boosey in 1891,  and imported into the U.S.

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

QUESTION: I can't believe it is so old!  This Boosey e flat horn sounds better than my Yamaha!  Is that possible?  Will it harm the horn if I play it on a regular basis or should I play it only on special occassions?  I've never owned an old horn.  Thanks.

Answer
Play it!  I have a baritone and tuba that are just a couple of years younger that I play all the time.  Just regular maintenance is needed.  If it has had a lot of use, you may want to get the valves re-built, but if it is playing ok, now, I'd say oil it up and blow.  

Antique Musical Instruments

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

Experience

I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.