It just seems like magic seeing these repairs take place right under your eyes. Wes's gentle work with the hammer is absolutely amazing This horn now "look like a bought one"
Years ago, I was a metal shop teacher in a high school. Whenever I had a student doing a project that required all the tapping with a planishing hammer, I would put him in the hall so the academic teachers could enjoy the tap, tap, tap. Listening to your work takes me back to a happier time of my life. Thanks for the memories. 😊
I was fortunate to live very close to Walter Lawson and watched him remove dents from my horn using some of the same techniques you used in this video. I was mesmerized and was glued to the monitor watching you work on that horn. Thank you for these videos.
Wes I have to thank you for what might seem repetitive videos, but do not. Watching someone with skills like yours is why I will watch your videos. Do not ever get discouraged. You are making things so cool. Plus we get to see instruments, like this French horn, into the details. Thank you!!!
I really enjoy your work Wes. You are a real craftsman and this looks like a very satisfying career. Perhaps I am naive but I didn't even know people did this until I started watching your videos. I have worked in car restoration for over 45 years and it is also satisfying, just very slow with some projects taking years to complete. Relatively speaking your work is pretty close to instant gratification. Cheers!
Sixty years ago I had a dream of playing the French horn, after my music teacher played us recordings of the Mozart Horn Concertos. Sadly it never happened, but when I saw what had happened to this horn, I was close to tears.
Awesome work as usual, Wes. Nicely filmed too. I agree with the previous comment about the sparese commentary and even the sounds from outside are soothing.
It's nice to see the video format that got me into your channel making a return! Just simple, methodical dentwork. A little bit of commentary here or there, but mostly just honest dent-balls and hammer taps and "magically" the instrument is restored!
One wonders what happened to that poor instrument that caused it to be in that condition! The owner of that instrument will be mighty glad that you could work your magic on it, Wes! Just as we were mighty glad we could watch you working your magic.
If it's a school horn, marching band probably happened to it 😂😂, kids run into each other, horns get dropped or knocked into things. French horns are made of thinner metal so they take a little more of a beating because of their design.
As a horn player and as other comments say, it's very easy to accidentally hit that part of the instrument. Pretty much every school horn I've handled has at least some damage to the bell stem, although I've never seen one as bad as in this video.
@@nytestar4035 Fair enough. When I was in seventh grade, someone left their french horn on the ground and someone else tripped over it and completely totaled the thing. I never saw the aftermath but it was apparently really bad.
You've got all the COOLEST TOOLS! ! ! I know it's all to suit the job but it's brilliant how the solutions come up and the tools take their shape. But still... I'd watch your channel even just to see the solutions in the form of the tools. And yeah, I'm a toolaholic.... Not only buying them but making them as well.
Watching these repairs: 98 lb weaklings need not apply. My dad was a woodwinds guy. Thanks to you, I finally know what those strange tools are that were in his tool box. 😁
The patience he has is humbling to say the least. If I get a garden hose stuck under a car tire, I'll whip it, flail it, use adjectives and suggestive phrases at full volume, all while trying to pull the hose in half. Walking to the car and carefully removing the wedged hose is not an attractive option at the time.
BOY, i WISH YOU'LD TAKE ON MY 8d-RS. IT SLID OFF THE DRESSING TABLE JUST BEFORE OUR PERFORMANCE OF MAHLER 2 IN SAN DIEGO SYM. . I KNOW IT'S A LONG WAY TO SEND THE HORN, BUT YOUR WORK IS EXCELLENT, AND THE BELL IS JUST MANGLED. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO...
Question: does a dented body tube distort the sound of an instrument? It seems to me that the sound waves would be impeded, and the tonal qualities would be altered.
Short answer…yes…when dents are bad enough it impedes the airflow through the instrument, often resulting (if I’m not mistaken) in the pitch becoming sharper.
I have a 1954 Julius Keelworth Alto Saxaphone made in Germany. It has plastic guard over the C#, B and Bb keys and it has been damaged and glued together over the years.We have contacted Keelworth in America and Germany and they have suggested a metal guard as they dont have a replacement for the plastic. Would you have any suggestions so I can keep the original look with a plastic guard? Any help would be appreciated.
Probably not. French horns just can get dented easily because they're thin. They get dropped, knocked into things and if they're used in marching band it's definitely worse.
I wish you worked for my kids school district. They just gave him one to use and I feel it's a little worse in the Bell stem area than the one in your video. How drastically, if at all, will this affect the sound or ease of play? This will be my son's first year trying out the French horn. Thanks
The one instrument I never cared for. Challenging when you can't keep some pressure on the internal low spots while massaging the external high spots down. A guy only has so many hands....
I assume that this French horn (like much of what Wes works on) is a school instrument, which makes me wonder, “How long until Wes’ careful handiwork becomes a moot point and the horn has significant dents again?”
My son dented his like this and i thought it was getting repaired when i dropped it off...turns out all they did was lube and fix keys that were sticking...still dented😢
It just seems like magic seeing these repairs take place right under your eyes. Wes's gentle work with the hammer is absolutely amazing This horn now "look like a bought one"
Years ago, I was a metal shop teacher in a high school. Whenever I had a student doing a project that required all the tapping with a planishing hammer, I would put him in the hall so the academic teachers could enjoy the tap, tap, tap. Listening to your work takes me back to a happier time of my life. Thanks for the memories. 😊
I am amazed at the way you can push metal around, especially ironing out that crease. Good camera work from the apprentice.
I was fortunate to live very close to Walter Lawson and watched him remove dents from my horn using some of the same techniques you used in this video. I was mesmerized and was glued to the monitor watching you work on that horn. Thank you for these videos.
Been watching for a while! Your video quality has gotten a lot better. Nice job, Wes! You are a fine UA-camr.
It's SO helpful to see your process. Thanks for the education! Great work as usual.
Many have said it already but watching that damage and imperfection just melt away is incredible.
Your ability to take out those dents just amazes me.
Wes I have to thank you for what might seem repetitive videos, but do not. Watching someone with skills like yours is why I will watch your videos. Do not ever get discouraged. You are making things so cool. Plus we get to see instruments, like this French horn, into the details. Thank you!!!
That’s awesome. I know the owner of that horn and have seen those dents in person. Can’t wait to see it again now that it’s like new
I really enjoy your work Wes. You are a real craftsman and this looks like a very satisfying career. Perhaps I am naive but I didn't even know people did this until I started watching your videos. I have worked in car restoration for over 45 years and it is also satisfying, just very slow with some projects taking years to complete. Relatively speaking your work is pretty close to instant gratification. Cheers!
I've said it before, You Sir are a Magician. You made that French Horn look fantastic.
I want to thank you again. Your videos are very helpful. I just successfully silver soldered a crack on a sousaphone. Your repair vids are great.
This gentleman is the most patient person that I have ever seen. His work is the anthesis of the average 'rush-itll do' job.
When I had my French Horn it didn't have a removable bell. I am so glad you had that luxury otherwise it would have been more cumbersome to handle.
I appreciate your skill Wes. Hello from Ireland 🇮🇪
Thanx Wes. From Hawaii
Sixty years ago I had a dream of playing the French horn, after my music teacher played us recordings of the Mozart Horn Concertos. Sadly it never happened, but when I saw what had happened to this horn, I was close to tears.
You sir, are a true artisan
It is always fun to watch a craftsman at work.
Thanks Wes, from Canada
What incredible work! God bless you and yours. Praying for you!
Awesome work as usual, Wes. Nicely filmed too. I agree with the previous comment about the sparese commentary and even the sounds from outside are soothing.
It's nice to see the video format that got me into your channel making a return! Just simple, methodical dentwork. A little bit of commentary here or there, but mostly just honest dent-balls and hammer taps and "magically" the instrument is restored!
One wonders what happened to that poor instrument that caused it to be in that condition!
The owner of that instrument will be mighty glad that you could work your magic on it, Wes! Just as we were mighty glad we could watch you working your magic.
If it's a school horn, marching band probably happened to it 😂😂, kids run into each other, horns get dropped or knocked into things. French horns are made of thinner metal so they take a little more of a beating because of their design.
As a horn player and as other comments say, it's very easy to accidentally hit that part of the instrument. Pretty much every school horn I've handled has at least some damage to the bell stem, although I've never seen one as bad as in this video.
@@jadedpython I have but usually it's from middle schools.
@@nytestar4035 Fair enough. When I was in seventh grade, someone left their french horn on the ground and someone else tripped over it and completely totaled the thing. I never saw the aftermath but it was apparently really bad.
You are a great repair person!
You've got all the COOLEST TOOLS! ! ! I know it's all to suit the job but it's brilliant how the solutions come up and the tools take their shape. But still... I'd watch your channel even just to see the solutions in the form of the tools. And yeah, I'm a toolaholic.... Not only buying them but making them as well.
Patiently and masterfully repaired. Thank you.
Amazing every time!
Outstanding repair once again , thank you Wes.
Thanks for your input
Quelle patience !! 👍🙏💪 et comme l'on dit en France " bon outil bon travail " 👋🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵
The only way to do this is huge experience. It is so easy to ruin an instrument finally. Great job! 😊
Wes Lee is my favorite instrument repairman!
How many others do you know?
Fantastic job Sir!
Incredible job. As a horn player, myself and basically everyone I know dented their instrument in this same place. Usually not THIS badly though. 😂
Watching these repairs: 98 lb weaklings need not apply. My dad was a woodwinds guy. Thanks to you, I finally know what those strange tools are that were in his tool box. 😁
Amazing
👍👍👍 tremendous work !
I've tapped on horns so many times that Taylor, one of my African grey parrots, makes the same sound!
It's nice to see the specific tools you have on hand. Have you done a video about making burnisher from a file?
Thanks for sharing the « magic »!
The patience he has is humbling to say the least. If I get a garden hose stuck under a car tire, I'll whip it, flail it, use adjectives and suggestive phrases at full volume, all while trying to pull the hose in half. Walking to the car and carefully removing the wedged hose is not an attractive option at the time.
Nothing like watching a pro in action.
When you said a series of rods and balls and about 2,000 strokes, I couldn’t help but laugh😂😂
Nice demonstration. Thanks man :0)
BOY, i WISH YOU'LD TAKE ON MY 8d-RS. IT SLID OFF THE DRESSING TABLE JUST BEFORE OUR PERFORMANCE OF MAHLER 2 IN SAN DIEGO SYM. . I KNOW IT'S A LONG WAY TO SEND THE HORN, BUT YOUR WORK IS EXCELLENT, AND THE BELL IS JUST MANGLED. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO...
I got about 690 hammer strokes on camera (probably more off)...sure I missed a bunch. I didn't slow it down to count...I'm not a weirdo.
Seek and Destroy! 🤘🏻
This is pimple popping content for band geeks.
Wonder how many times you can bend brass or the strength lost till it gives up 😢 but glad it's looking good and will sound great.
Is the repaired area weaker after all the damage and repair work?
Was wondering if the temperature of the metal, plays any part on how easy it can be worked?
Clearly, the top requirement of such a job is patience...!
Question: does a dented body tube distort the sound of an instrument? It seems to me that the sound waves would be impeded, and the tonal qualities would be altered.
Short answer…yes…when dents are bad enough it impedes the airflow through the instrument, often resulting (if I’m not mistaken) in the pitch becoming sharper.
I have a 1954 Julius Keelworth Alto Saxaphone made in Germany. It has plastic guard over the C#, B and Bb keys and it has been damaged and glued together over the years.We have contacted Keelworth in America and Germany and they have suggested a metal guard as they dont have a replacement for the plastic. Would you have any suggestions so I can keep the original look with a plastic guard? Any help would be appreciated.
Probably not worth it but have you tried using one of those paintless dent repair lights?
Whats a good time frame for this repair? How long will it take to complete this repair?
Do you see a change with each hammer stroke?
👍👏🏻
With that much tapping, do you ever have trouble with the brass work hardening? If so, how do you anneal it without trashing the finish?
What do you use to clean pipes that have limescale buildup?
Most techs would not have gone that last Mike.
What are you rubbing on the dent ball? Is that for lubrication?
I usually spray a little pledge (furniture polish) on mine.
Those dents looked intentional and malicious!
Probably not. French horns just can get dented easily because they're thin. They get dropped, knocked into things and if they're used in marching band it's definitely worse.
I wish you worked for my kids school district. They just gave him one to use and I feel it's a little worse in the Bell stem area than the one in your video. How drastically, if at all, will this affect the sound or ease of play? This will be my son's first year trying out the French horn. Thanks
The one instrument I never cared for. Challenging when you can't keep some pressure on the internal low spots while massaging the external high spots down. A guy only has so many hands....
That’s why you use your belly muscles as the third point
Dear master!!! When the alarm clock rang and you looked at your watch, was it a signal to have lunch?
I assume that this French horn (like much of what Wes works on) is a school instrument, which makes me wonder, “How long until Wes’ careful handiwork becomes a moot point and the horn has significant dents again?”
You might try bees wax instead of paraffin, it is a little easier to use and friendlier to the workpiece.
My son dented his like this and i thought it was getting repaired when i dropped it off...turns out all they did was lube and fix keys that were sticking...still dented😢
Show
Tap, tap, tap, tap, Tap, tap, tap, tap, Tap, tap, tap, tap, Tap, tap, tap, tap.......Sounds like music to me.
This has chiropractor vibes
Honestly I have no idea how that kind of damage happens. Blows me away. Disrespect and just negligence.
Drops, knocking against stuff. Running into each other on the marching turf.