Check it over very carefully. When it’s heavily tarnished or has sat for a long time it will be hard to see broken things. Check each brace, make sure all moving things come out and go back in easily. If the outside feels super gross, I’d put in the work to polish it up. I can’t stand when my instr ...

Were it free of scale/lime on the interior (??), I might load up brushes (snakes and brushes with handles that fit casings or tubes) and very carefully scrub it out with lamp oil - rather than cleansers. If you have a compressor and a hose, you could blow out the oil (same consistency and basically ...

The most important thing is to make sure everything that’s supposed to move actually does move. That’s slides and valves of course. I’d start with valves, make certain the tops unscrew and the valves can be removed- carefully! If they can be taken out then a careful cleaning with warn water and mild ...

I haven't played at a TC since I was a kid in the 80's. I'm going to try and hit a couple in the DFW area this year! If memory serves, aren't They off by a day so you could attend both? And late in the season... something like the last weekend before the holiday? (this being Dallas and Fort Worth ...

I have just acquired a Besson 983 Eb that has probably sat in its case on a shelf unused for 15-20 years (guessing based on situation). It's silver but is so dark gray that it looks like something very old. The horn and case have virtually no signs of ever being used much. My question is: How and ...

I haven't played at a TC since I was a kid in the 80's. I'm going to try and hit a couple in the DFW area this year!

Possessing that letter is certainly cool! That won't happen these days.

Last half of IV Movement Jupiter of Holtz’s The Planets. Starts at 2:50.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUM_zT3YKHs

I cannot post a pic, but mine appears identical except for silver.

Only conjecture, but I have to imagine they were purchased with ME’s suggestion/influences and then then sat unused as the “new kids” were F players. I had the same thought about ME after I learned about his background/connection. The mouthpiece that came in the case did not have any indicators of e ...

Mine is silver. I really think it must have spent a lot of time in the case in a closet as there’s nary a scratch on it. There is no way it was played much and appears stock as made.
It’s the first Eb I’ve ever owned, so still trying to get used to it, but sounds great.

Maybe there was no next generation that wanted to continue the business? Seems a shame that Willi and Willi Jr. (the Wills in Willson…) Kurath didn’t have another Willi or Willhelmina (or other family member, etc.) that could grow the business to stand alone health. I like family businesses. I like ...

Probably old news for some, but I was surprised to see that on Willson’s website.