Could you please recommend someone to relacquer inside of bell ?

[blues_growler]

I would be very grateful if someone could suggest where I might have the
mouth of the bell on a silver plated horn relacquered. Ideally, I'm looking for somewhere experienced with musical instruments and within reasonable driving distance from Bristol. Thanks.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I only had a horn relacquered once, it wasa lousy job, the lacquer just flaked off. I wouldn't bother - just polish it from time to time.

 

[blues_growler]

Thanks Pete, I'm also very wary about relacquering and consider it a can of worms but in this case it's only the inside of the bell mouth, "gold wash" effect that's required. I think that all it needs is a professional polish and some sort of durable clear lacquer applied. I could go down the Duraglit and aerosol lacquer route but I'm happy to spend a bit on this horn if it results in a better job.

I acquired this sax, a late 1920's Martin Indiana tenor, from it's retired owner who bought it in 1948 and played in London dance bands through the 1950's. The body, action and silver plating are all excellent and I feel this instrument deserves to be restored and kept original in appearance.

Maybe I should have titled this thread "How do you restore the "Gold Wash" effect on vintage instruments ? Sorry if I didn't make things clearer on my initial post.

 

[Pete Thomas]

The Gold wash was usually gold plate. But you won't be able to get that done without stripping it down completely.

Inside the bell should not be tricky to polish as its all a smooth surface.

I think the DIY route is probably the best, make sure you get it completely grease free and mask off all other areas, then a good spray lacquer.

But you might be reasonably close to our very own Griff, who may have some insight.

 

[blues_growler]

I've just found this US website, is anyone able to recommend someone who could restore the "gold wash" effect on my Martin to a professional standard here in the UK. Thanks.

http://www.cybersax.com/BellWashes.html

 

[blues_growler]

Pete, Thank you once again for both taking an interest and your constructive comments. Right from post one I been trying, unsuccessfully, to upload 'photos of this instrument even though my uploads are within the 104.4 KB limit. This sax is indeed stripped down and ready to be worked on. The 'photos would have revealed this and also the present, rather scabby, state of the inner bell.

I think your advice regarding the DIY approach is a sound one and it's occurred to me that a
highly polished bell mouth could look over restored and not in keeping with the rest of the 80 year old horn. I'll go down to Tescos in the morning and shoplift a tin of Duraglit.

I'm just trying to do the best for a very beautiful old saxophone that has had a very interesting spiritual life, including being played at the Ritz in 1952, and will almost certainly be around long after I'm dust.

As you will know, these old Martins are superb players and I very much regret selling
my Lewin Bros tenor that came out of the factory about the same time as this one.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Looking at that website, it confirms my suspicions that the gold wash originally was gold (or copper) plate. Either of which can be done, and as you have it stripped down then now would be the time to do it. But if you are going to get it done professionally, then get it plated like the original not lacquered I think.

For a DIY job, If its scabby, the first thing to do is see how well it can polish up. Is what is left in there bare brass or is it scabby plate? If the latter, then it will be hard to get polished down to the brass, and I'm not sure what to recommend in that case.

 

[griff136]

if your sax is silver plated then its highly unlikely that it would be lacquered over the top.

if your instrument is stripped down I would first give the inside of the bell a thorough wash with soapy water and a brush - i use a loo brush down the bell and a smaller brush that fits in the toneholes.

you will be surprised at how clean it will be onced cleaned.

If you want your bell gold washed then try someone like Best Electroplating in Crawley

 

[blues_growler]

Gentlemen, I really appreciate your advice.

Because I'm a bit of a ponce, I think I would most like the "gold wash" effect restored and I'll give Best Electroplating a ring in the morning. It gives me confidence to see some musical instruments depicted on their website.

Small thank you sent to Pete's charity.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Please post some pics when it's finished

 

[blues_growler]

Pete Thomas wrote:
Please post some pics when it's finished

I will do. Thanks for taking an interest.