Expert: Frankie Bull (Mr.) - 10/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi friend ... First I must tell you how much a enjoy reading your answers and advice .....I need some here ....I really know nothing about this Blessing cornet except that the silver short model shepherds crook looks just beautiful to me... I'm an artist as well as a comeback player and the look of a short model is as important to me as the sound... I use a Wick 4 mouthpiece and really do love the rich dark cornet sound ... and just want to know if you can tell me anything about the BLESSING B-141 CORNET - also because I don't see many of these used, would you have a guess of the value of one that's pre-owned and in good condition ... thanks in advance..
David

ANSWER: Hi David,

Thanks for the query. Before I launch into the details on your Blessing cornet (lovely horn) can you please give me the serial number? More than likely it can be found stamped into the second valve casing. If I have this I can pinpoint with reasonable accuracy the year your instrument was made and so give you more information. (If it's not on the valve casing try the end of the mouthpiece pipe. Either way it will more than likely be a five or six digit number.)

I look forward to your reply.

Thanks

Frankie
(Australia)

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

QUESTION: Frankie ... I didn't expect ... but do appreciate ... such a quick reply ... I don't own one yet... and  I'm just now starting research on the cornet .... but the one that I see currently offered is Serial Number: D10799...  I've been playing some vintage Ambassadors and a wonderful Conn Connquest... but I'm still searching for my dream personal horn .... and the silver one with the above serial will be it if it plays anywhere close to the way it looks .... This is the link :
http://cgi.ebay.com/BLESSING-B-141-CORNET-USA-w-HARD-CASE-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ18

...but I hope you can keep that out of the public answer before too many others think what I'm thinking ... At this point I have no idea what a decent final price will be and could really use some advice on the range I might expect for a cornet in this good condition ...
David

Answer
David,

BUY IT!!!!

If the one I saw at the link you gave is the one you actually will get - BUY IT!!...and be thankful I don't bid against you. If you can buy a Blessing cornet in the condition shown in the picture for US$40 then do your damndest to make sure you get it. Offer $100 or something high just to make sure you get it. If someone offers over your bid then I would think perhaps a bit more seriously about buying it. There is also another one (gold) available on eBay for US$100.)

The condition of the cornet you want looks immaculate. They are still available new in the U.K. for about 600 pounds and $700 over here (do a conversion), so forty bucks sounds like an unbelievable deal. Maybe you could email the seller and ask a couple of questions about the cornet's playing ability.  Your Dennis Wick cornet mouthpiece should do the instrument justice.

My serious advice is to make an offer at the last minute, bearing in mind that, with eBay, you only pay just above the previous bid anyway.

One serial nunber source dates the one you are looking at to about 1901; another to 1906,  but I can't be sure because some serial numbers were used twice and the condition of the horn in the foto is superb. If it's as old as I think it has been very much a loved cornet.

Having said all this, David, just buy it. It looks as if it is playable and it would serve you well as a good vintage cornet. Blessing have a great name. Type into your search bar <E.K. Blessing Band Instrument Company> and have a look at the history of the instruments. It will give you a great insight into the brand you are looking at.

Please let me know how you fare in all of this. I really am very interested.

Cheers,

Frankie
(Australia)