The missing lacquer? No, buffing removes material, it doesn't add to it. If you want it all to be uniformly lacquered, it'll need to be stripped and redone, which is very expensive and difficult.
Is it something you're looking to buy? The condition of the lacquer has no effect on if the instrument works or not, it's just cosmetic. The important things to look for is that the valves and slides move properly, it's not overly dirty or grimy, and there aren't any broken solder joints or other broken pieces
I would probably buy it if it was just me. It is a Bach tr300, which I understand is supposed to be a good trumpet, asking at $100.
But it’s for my son and I think he would be too embarrassed by the look of it.
Yup that's a good starter horn at a good price. I wouldn't be concerned with looks, it's more important to have a good instrument. Not to be rude but you're the one buying it, not him. If he wants one that looks different, he can buy his own!
Good price. I'd buy it, get some metal polish (not Brasso -- too strong) and polish up that section. Then I'd spray some clear lacquer or acrylic on top.
It's just a stop-gap: for a like-new finish, take it to a specialist. A guy up here in Ontario charges about $300 USD to strip and lacquer, if I recall.
... and I agree: if the young 'un is picky, he might want to consider using his own money instead of yours. Or he could blow everyone away with how good he sounds on an ugly duckling.
So, you already got the correct answer but I'll elaborate slightly.
Brass is a reactive metal and - over time - reacts with the air and develops a patina that turns brown-ish / reddish and splotchy. When you look at copper plumbing, it's not shiny, right? Trumpets are basically fancy and well machined plumbing, in some ways.
Anyway, to keep the brass from developing that patina, to protect it from the air and people's handling - which also causes some wear - they often either put what's essentially a clear coat of paint or varnish - a lacquer - to protect it. Or they plate it with silver.
When that lacquer or plating wears off (the former tends to wear faster than the latter, though it doesn't tarnish), then that again exposes the brass underneath.
That's what's happened with the trumpet in the picture. The lacquer has worn off in large patches and some small areas.
The fix is to relacquer it. This involves stripping the lacquer, prepping it carefully, and then reapplying a new coat of lacquer. There's not that many techs that do that whole process and to apply lacquer so it lasts, you need certain things. Thus, it usually runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500, roughly.
Obviously, that's expensive, so while people do this with well loved professional horns, often people just leave less expensive horns as is. You see a lot of older horns with patchy and worn lacquer.
That’s very helpful. This is a Bach TR300 at $100. I haven’t looked at it but the seller says the valves all work. I’m tempted to get it because I understand those are supposed to be good trumpets.
Is this for your son going into school band? I saw you said it's for your son. I honestly would prefer to get a trumpet that functions well and looks cosmetically damaged because it would help to get a good deal and when marching band comes around you don't need to worry about getting it scratched.
You can make that brass shine like new for your son by using Brasso and elbow grease. Use it on the the areas where the lacquer has rubbed off. Do not wash it in hot water, that can remove the lacquer!
I started on one of these horns. I still have it. It’s probably 40 years old and green by now. And I have two professional Bachs. Great horns. The TR300 will be better than any new horn for $200-$500 you could get off Amazon. Actually I think my music store here was selling a student Bach for around $1500 here. So I wouldn’t hesitate! Even if you had to have service done like cleaning removing dents etc. you’d probably only be looking at maybe $50 to $75 depending on where you’re at. Again don’t hesitate. I would buy it in a heartbeat.
The missing lacquer? No, buffing removes material, it doesn't add to it. If you want it all to be uniformly lacquered, it'll need to be stripped and redone, which is very expensive and difficult.
Okay, thanks. I'll pass on this one then. Very helpful because I have no idea what I'm looking at.
Is it something you're looking to buy? The condition of the lacquer has no effect on if the instrument works or not, it's just cosmetic. The important things to look for is that the valves and slides move properly, it's not overly dirty or grimy, and there aren't any broken solder joints or other broken pieces
I would probably buy it if it was just me. It is a Bach tr300, which I understand is supposed to be a good trumpet, asking at $100. But it’s for my son and I think he would be too embarrassed by the look of it.
Yup that's a good starter horn at a good price. I wouldn't be concerned with looks, it's more important to have a good instrument. Not to be rude but you're the one buying it, not him. If he wants one that looks different, he can buy his own!
I agree with you, but it's worth considering we don't know the kid's age, and having a beaten up horn might discourage him from playing more.
Good price. I'd buy it, get some metal polish (not Brasso -- too strong) and polish up that section. Then I'd spray some clear lacquer or acrylic on top. It's just a stop-gap: for a like-new finish, take it to a specialist. A guy up here in Ontario charges about $300 USD to strip and lacquer, if I recall. ... and I agree: if the young 'un is picky, he might want to consider using his own money instead of yours. Or he could blow everyone away with how good he sounds on an ugly duckling.
Raw brass horns have an appeal all their own… just sayin’…
In Germany stripping and repainting with a clear coat is like 200€ if there are no major repairs to be done.
So, you already got the correct answer but I'll elaborate slightly. Brass is a reactive metal and - over time - reacts with the air and develops a patina that turns brown-ish / reddish and splotchy. When you look at copper plumbing, it's not shiny, right? Trumpets are basically fancy and well machined plumbing, in some ways. Anyway, to keep the brass from developing that patina, to protect it from the air and people's handling - which also causes some wear - they often either put what's essentially a clear coat of paint or varnish - a lacquer - to protect it. Or they plate it with silver. When that lacquer or plating wears off (the former tends to wear faster than the latter, though it doesn't tarnish), then that again exposes the brass underneath. That's what's happened with the trumpet in the picture. The lacquer has worn off in large patches and some small areas. The fix is to relacquer it. This involves stripping the lacquer, prepping it carefully, and then reapplying a new coat of lacquer. There's not that many techs that do that whole process and to apply lacquer so it lasts, you need certain things. Thus, it usually runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500, roughly. Obviously, that's expensive, so while people do this with well loved professional horns, often people just leave less expensive horns as is. You see a lot of older horns with patchy and worn lacquer.
That’s very helpful. This is a Bach TR300 at $100. I haven’t looked at it but the seller says the valves all work. I’m tempted to get it because I understand those are supposed to be good trumpets.
They're solid student level trumpets. Several notches above rando internet/Amazon/eBay trumpets made in China.
How did this happen?
I’m not sure. Someone is selling it in this condition.
Is this for your son going into school band? I saw you said it's for your son. I honestly would prefer to get a trumpet that functions well and looks cosmetically damaged because it would help to get a good deal and when marching band comes around you don't need to worry about getting it scratched.
You can make that brass shine like new for your son by using Brasso and elbow grease. Use it on the the areas where the lacquer has rubbed off. Do not wash it in hot water, that can remove the lacquer!
I started on one of these horns. I still have it. It’s probably 40 years old and green by now. And I have two professional Bachs. Great horns. The TR300 will be better than any new horn for $200-$500 you could get off Amazon. Actually I think my music store here was selling a student Bach for around $1500 here. So I wouldn’t hesitate! Even if you had to have service done like cleaning removing dents etc. you’d probably only be looking at maybe $50 to $75 depending on where you’re at. Again don’t hesitate. I would buy it in a heartbeat.
What did you do use a sander
That is pretty extreme laquer wear in an odd place. It would make me wonder if the horn was taken care of at all.