A century of tarnish, corroded valves, and hard living — brought back to playing condition.
Restoration project
The Martin Band Instrument Company of Elkhart, Indiana built this trumpet in 1926 — nearly a decade before they introduced the Committee model that would go on to become one of the most sought-after vintage horns in jazz. The Dasant is an earlier design from the same house, and it carries the hallmarks: careful proportions, hand-fitted rotary valves, and the ornate bell engraving that Martin put on their higher-grade instruments.
I found this one in a hospital thrift shop — paid more for it than I eventually sold it for. It came in rough shape: heavy tarnish throughout, corroded valve casings, nearly a century of grime worked deep into the engraving. The goal was to get it playing again — work the valves and clean up the silver. The engraving was already there, hiding under the tarnish. It usually is.
Once it was playing again, I took it to a concert and played Bye Bye Blackbird on it — a song also written in 1926. The horn sounded like it remembered the tune.
Before
After
Vintage, modern, student or professional — I work on all of it. Most repairs are done the same afternoon.