This page will show a variety of projects that we have completed in the past. Hopefully, this will give you a good idea of the extent and level of work we are capable of doing.
In early 2008, Dan received a phone call from a gentleman who had tragically suffered a stroke that had left him minimal use of his right hand. I am sure many of us can imagine the impact this would have on our life and the ability to play our instruments. The caller was desperately searching for someone who could provide him with an instrument suitable for his playing needs. Dan suggested a few manufacturers, he stated that he had already corresponded with them and they were ether unable or unwilling to provide what he desired. The repair shops he contacted were for the most part not very interested for a number of reasons we can completely understand. His need was for a left hand or reversed baritone horn. To be honest, Dan was not real interested in taking on the task himself with all the projects on his bench at the time but after discussing the matter and thinking how upset he would be if he were in the same boat, he agreed to consider the task and eventually accepted the challenge. The original instrument for the project that we received from the owner was one he got off eBay. It was an old King 2268 that was in pretty rough shape.
The important part that was salvageable was the valve section which is probably the best one available for such a conversion. The ports were removed, the forth valve cut off and refit and brazed to the first valve. The porting of the first and third valves are so close that with a bit of skill and a little care the block was able to be completely reversed to a mirror image of its original configuration. There were a lot of small alterations along with a good deal of repair work to the casings, pistons and slide tubes but in the end it turned out pretty decent. You can't simply slap these together and it did require a lot of effort but in the end Dan felt the project to be really interesting and worth the time spent.
A truly beautiful piece of 1930s Art Deco styling. The Vocabell 48-B trumpet made by C.G. Conn ltd. is a favorite with collectors and is still used by those fortunate enough to possess one. Because of the Vocabells elaborate styling points, restorations can be rather involved. If the details are not observed and addressed, all that makes this design so special and visually appealing can be spoiled with little hope of being corrected. All Vocabell model trumpets have fluted outside valve casing walls and the heavy bell rim is void of a bead and bead-wire. The double wall mouth-pipe is also a neat feature of its design but repairing it can be a real pain.
Many but not all are decorated with an art Deco engraved bell pattern that requires considerable care when dents are being removed and metal finishing is performed. This one was restored by Daniel Oberloh and completed in the Fall of 2009. The engraving is original; we are very carfull with such details when it comes to our polishing and take them quite seriously. All work, including polishing, masking and glass bead-blasting was performed in-house. Double silver plating and gold plating of the bell interior was performed by our friends at Anderson Silver Plating Co. Inc.
Another lovely trumpet of days long gone. The image above shows a King "Liberty Model" trumpet that was manufactured by the H.N. White Co. around 1933. We fully restored it in double satin silver plate with a gold plated bell interior. The valves were also completely rebuilt during the process.
Pictured above is Dan shortly after completeing the restoration of this c. 1910 Alexander BBb tuba. This instrument had been in constant use its whole life. Its current owner had been using it for more then fifty years prior to sending it to us for a little love. The instrument required a good deal of brass work, considerable machineing time to rebuid the rotor valves, bearings and linkage. Our Friends at the Alexander factory in Germany were so very helpfull in providing us with a new custom made bell to replace the original that was beyond salvage. It is safely back in its owners hands where it continues to provide great joy.
Above are a few examples of vintage horns restored in our shop over the recent past. These two were produced by the great Carl Geyer of Chicago IL. who provided instruments and repair services to some of historys most notable brass players. Mr.Geyer produced horns in the US from 1916 to the late 1960s, into his late 80s and is a very much admired Carftsman by Dan Oberloh and many other brass instrument makers and Techs. Inspite of the extensive effort needed to rebuild both horns, it was a privilage to be called on to bring these instruments back to life.
Two other examples of Classic French horns we have restored. On the left is an early Kruspe double French horn c.1915-1925. Kruspe was the inventor (1899) of the double horn and his Horner model is arguably the most copied model of any used today. The opposit image is a Vienna valve horn made by Daniel Fuchs of Wien, late 19th century. These two instruments proved to be very difficult to restore. There age and considerable valve issues bore them out to be quite a challange.
No, not all instruments are complete restorations. This late model B&S PT-4 CC tuba was subject to a mishap with an automobile and some how wound up under the vehicles wheels in a soft carrying bag. The bell, mouth-pipe and large branches were all badly damaged. Though it took a good deal of time to correct, all of the original parts were repaired allowing considerable savings for its owner.
Another WOW! project. A 1930s York Band Instrument Company BBb tuba. Reconfigured from a standard three top action valve design (Left) to a four front action (Right). The tuba was converted to be more comfortable to play and with the forth valve and adjustable slides will have greater facility for the player. The instrument, following the modfication, was completely restored, glass-bead-blasted and silver plated. The same finish it had when it was new. A very coplicated and involved project to be sure.
The Besson "Standard" compensating model euphoniums have been a favorite of high school band directors for decades. Shown here are a number of such horns at the completion of there restoration. If cared for, they should last another forty years.
Seen above is a (Model 33?) J.W.York BBb Tuba before and after Dan performed his magic. The instrument was manufactured around 1912. It required a considerable amount of work including the fabrication of a new replacement sixth branch, third slide crook, all four top valve caps and buttons along with numerous replacement braces and other other assorted bits and pieces. The bell was re-engraved by Dan as well. The instrument was then glass bead blasted and silver plated in order to have the original look it had when it was new. Turned out to be a real nice playing horn with that distinctive York sound.
There has been a great deal of interest in double bell euphoniums in recent years. Because they have not been manufactured for more then half a century those desiring such instruments are rescuing the old horns and having them restored. Seen here is Daniel Oberloh with a couple made by C. G. Conn. The pair shown have been completely restored along with a 1907 King valve trombone and a rare Conn 56-B built in 1929. The Double bells shown are a 1921 New Wonder model(right) and a 1945 Short Action 30-I (left). All of these instruments shown were carefully rebuilt by Dan and plated by the craftsmen at Anderson Silver Plating Co. Inc. of Elkhart Ind. They are all satin silver with bright silver highlights and gold plated bell interiors.
Above are a few closeups of the idouble bells in the same order as the first image.
Though out of production for some time, the Olds "Super" cornets, trumpets and trombones are to this day very popular and in such demand that we see quite a few coming in for restoration. This Olds cornet was not only rebuilt but the owner requested that we fabricate the needed parts and install a first valve trigger. We have done this on a number of occasions (even on the student Ambassador model) and prefer to pattern the mechanism after that used on the original Olds "Mendez' model. The cornet was severely damaged and worn but once repaired and refinished in a brilliant clear lacquer finish it turned out to be a real beautiful instrument.
This is a Distin Superior cornet made in the late 1800's. Wow, where do we begin? This instrument had extensive acid etch, a split bell and bell rim and split slide tube seams. Also the motuhpipe had to be replaced. Dan went to great lengths to restore the beauty of the original design and engraving. The cornet was finished in a satin gold plate.
Here is a Lyon & Healy cornet that was brought in to us. The cornet was in very poor condition, lots of dents, lots of scars from other's previous repairs, split tubes, weak spots in the metal... another resurrection! This instrument turned out to be one heckuva player, great tone and great intonation. And a beaut to boot! The cornet received a satin silver finish with a bright gold bell interior.
This is a Conn Wonder cornet made at the end of the 19th century! Looks pretty good for well over one hundred years old! We finished this in October 2004 for a local professional player and teacher. The cornet was originally purchased by his great grandfather. Click on the above picture for more details and photos.
This is a Lyon and Healy pocket cornet, recently completed in a satin silver finish with a gold bell interior. Though not the best built horn we've seen, once the factory flaws were corrected in addition to the extensive damage it received over the past 115 years, it is a surprisingly fine playing cornet. The job also required manufacturing a replacement mouthpipe and Bb bit as the originals were missing or not salvageable. The horn was manufactured by Jaubert and sold under the Lyon and Healy brand.
This is a Lyon & Healy Inspiration cornet. When it came in, the bell was crunched and the second valve slide was completely missing amongst other signs of the ravages of time. We restored this in a satin silver finish and gold plated bell interior. We will be bringing more pictures of this soon.
Wow!! Finished in the end of August 2004, this major task took several years to complete. Originally this 6/4 Martin BBb tuba had three upright piston valves. Dan converted this to four front action pistons which necessitated reversing the tubing of the body and replacing the valve cluster. For more on this beauty click on the above picture.
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