Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: I just purchased a 1905 Conn Wonder (raw brass) that seems to be in pretty good shape. However, it is missing the mouthpiece receiver.  Does anyone know where in the world I can locate one? I want to be able to play the horn.

ANSWER: You can sometimes find the bits on eBay, either by themselves or in another instrument.  I know of no one making them as a stocked item.  The other option is to have one custom made.  

The only thing tricky about making one would be the instrument side.  It is about the same size as a trombone mouthpiece.  I've considered taking an old trombone mouthpiece - sawing off the end, a bit of tubing, a ferrule, and a couple of those slide buttons, and making one.  But, I  have never actually tried it.

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

QUESTION: I just bought another old cornet.  On the bell there is nothing to indicate who made it or where it was made.  The brass is strange in that it seems tarnished, but does not respond to cleaning via brass polish.  They only clue about where it was made may be on the valve casings.  Instead of reading 1, 2, 3, it reads 19, 20, 21.  Does this have any esoteric meaning?

Answer
The valve numbers are 'shop' numbers to keep the casings,pistons, and maybe the caps together.  I suspect that it is just heavily tarnished and the tarnish is resisting your efforts.  You might want to try some Tarnx and see if that will get through it.  I'm assuming it is a brass color.  If it is a silver color, then it might be German silver and it won't polish up as bright.