French Horn Restoration part 2- Wes Lee Music

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  • čas přidán 20. 09. 2020
  • Part 2 in the series of restoration of French Horn. This episode concludes the dent work up to the pinky hook, then install new hand guard.
    Thanks for watching.

Komentáře • 300

  • @TheBigwillistyle
    @TheBigwillistyle Před rokem +66

    As long as there are 4th graders learning how to play, this guy will always have a job. You do amazing work.

    • @everydaylifer2019
      @everydaylifer2019 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Actually that is also middle and high school. That looks like my old French horns. I had some that looked exactly like that. My middle school and high school was too poor to fix the horns. But the percussion and tubas always had great instruments.

  • @G60syncro
    @G60syncro Před 2 lety +26

    Coming from auto body background here, at first I was like "He's gonna have to finesse those dents out I guess..." .....NOPE! Just brute force the living hell out of them, that's it!!! Love it!!

  • @vladimirlopez7840
    @vladimirlopez7840 Před 3 lety +355

    I see this and admire this gentleman’s artistry and at the same time wonder what the hell did the player do to this horn. I take care of my sax better than I do myself

    • @hornalicious
      @hornalicious Před 2 lety +58

      Stuff happens....even to us older players! My horn was severely damanged at the CNE a couple of years ago, it was utterly mortifying. It was after doing a military band gig...I had to put it down momentarily.....and in that quick moment, it had been dsmanged but I did not see or hear what happened...I picked it up and went to take it back to where our cases were ..it was when I went take it apart that I found the underside had been crushed! Being a brass player is a little different than woodwinds....brass had the issues with dents etc...whereas on sax, it's not dents...it's pads giving out, or keys becoming misaligned etc...It doesn't mean the instrument was not being looked after ....it was probably pretty awful to the person who's horn this is. I've been there and omg you die a little inside...Ron Partch saved my horn!

    • @thomasnewton8223
      @thomasnewton8223 Před 2 lety +30

      Kids who are using a horn handed down 15 times. French horns are fairly awkward and heavy. I know as a kid I dropped my horn multiple times and was mortified every time. Doesn’t take much for the horn to bend, and it truly doesn’t alter the sound too much. I’d like to add: sax players can’t talk because they have a strap around their neck to hold theirs ;)

    • @thefudgecake1626
      @thefudgecake1626 Před 2 lety +4

      @@thomasnewton8223 i play sax and clarinet, the neck strap can come off very easily sometimes

    • @marcellominasi41
      @marcellominasi41 Před 2 lety +8

      I think he ruined it on purpose, to show his restoration skills.

    • @1htalp9
      @1htalp9 Před 2 lety +2

      Yeah, this damage looks deliberate... there are no accidents that cause this kind of damage.

  • @matthewackerson7861
    @matthewackerson7861 Před 2 lety +41

    I’m not a musician but I have been working with metal for 30 years now. Seeing damaged musical instruments is very sad. I appreciate the care and time it takes to bring them back again.

  • @johnrice6793
    @johnrice6793 Před rokem +16

    My god - I can’t believe it. I’ve watched both French horn restoration videos. Very nicely done!
    I played the French horn from 6th grade through high school. I’m 71 now. I look back at those years with that one horn quite fondly. My 6th grade granddaughter has begun .
    Thank you sir.🤜🤛👊👍👍

    • @everydaylifer2019
      @everydaylifer2019 Před 3 měsíci

      I just got my own French horn and I’m 25. I got one just to play my junior and senior solos.

  • @ThatKiwiDudeTV
    @ThatKiwiDudeTV Před 2 lety +4

    That's hands down the cutest oxy/acetylene torch I've ever seen.

  • @brushbros
    @brushbros Před 2 lety +13

    The nerdy French horn section in my high school also were in the nerdy Latin and Latin II class. We called ourselves "The French Hornae." hahaha We sounded like a herd of elephanti when we were at our very best. Especially when we marched.
    Wonderful video.

  • @ronaldfeuerstein435

    It's nice to see and know there is people out there who care!!!!!

  • @fatherchangstein7349
    @fatherchangstein7349 Před 2 lety +74

    Holy cow! Your line of work is so much more physical that a luthiers. I'm sure you could kill it at a arm wrestling contest! You are a master of your craft sir.

    • @willmorrison1022
      @willmorrison1022 Před 2 lety +2

      Never tried to bend a piece of Peruvian cherry, have you? That is one of the worst bending woods around, and it can get pretty physical. But yeah, you're right, he does work up a sweat working on those poor horns. It's amazing to see what he can do with sheet metal.

  • @drakensberg.multimedia
    @drakensberg.multimedia Před 2 lety +23

    This is the definition of a "Master Tradesman"! Skills honed over numerous years with the guidance of an equally or even greater skilled teacher! Bravo!

  • @lucasliu07
    @lucasliu07 Před 2 lety +12

    Love the idea of using a snare stand on a French horn!

  •  Před 2 lety +15

    I don't even play french horn, but this is just beautiful to watch!

    • @donsurlylyte
      @donsurlylyte Před 2 lety +1

      the owner of that horn didnt either apparently

  • @artswri
    @artswri Před rokem +2

    Complete mastery of the medium! This was harder than creating the instrument in the first place. Getting deep past the bell and fixing the dents is a show of finesse with strength!

  • @mwhelan53
    @mwhelan53 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Wes your ability to make strawberry jam out of pig shit is awe inspiring.

  • @non7top
    @non7top Před 3 měsíci +1

    Wth did I just watch? This is sick. And very much impressive.

  • @paulgann7935
    @paulgann7935 Před 2 lety +63

    When I was in the band at university we had a storeroom full of French horns in this condition or worse. Even a couple double horns. Director always said it would cost too much to fix them.

    • @brushbros
      @brushbros Před 2 lety +2

      University music is all on line these days. How old are you?

    • @brushbros
      @brushbros Před 2 lety +2

      @@smh95826 History, Philosophy, and Art as well. Have you not heard? hahaha

    • @Professor_Sex
      @Professor_Sex Před 2 lety +6

      @@brushbros untrue, as an aspiring organist I find it hard to practice at home (for obvious reasons), so I practice in person with my wonderful teacher :)

    • @brushbros
      @brushbros Před 2 lety +1

      @@Professor_Sex I appreciate that I am wrong. Thank God.

    • @Professor_Sex
      @Professor_Sex Před 2 lety +5

      @@brushbros Yeah, schools have realized online classes suck so they're pushing for more in person learning, it's a breath of fresh air for someone like me!

  • @tjs114
    @tjs114 Před 3 měsíci

    I imagine Mister Lee and every other instrument repair specialist raised a glass to the person that decided to make removable horn bells. Not having to manhandle the entire horn to fix the bell and not having to worry about the bell to fix the lower pipe must have made life a little easier.

  • @NORTHERNROVER1
    @NORTHERNROVER1 Před 2 lety

    Beautiful workmanship. A real pleasure to watch you work and resurrect this instrument.Cheers!

  • @jessejohnson159
    @jessejohnson159 Před 4 měsíci

    I've watched a few of your repair videos and read some comments to think I may be the first to type 'Your upper body strength must be very high!' to 'push' that brass around like you do! 😍

  • @gking1767
    @gking1767 Před 2 lety +7

    I truly appreciate and understand why you do this for a living. You take instruments that most people would throw in trashed and bring them back to life

    • @zimvader25
      @zimvader25 Před 2 lety

      Dude no one's throwing away brass instruments...

  • @sooz9433
    @sooz9433 Před 2 lety +3

    What a difference and what a phenomenal job you did! Thank you for allowing us to see how it's done.

  • @ahorseman4ever1
    @ahorseman4ever1 Před 2 lety

    Absolutely amazing! I'm in awe! You opened my eyes to new possibilities. Thank you

  • @Cybornut
    @Cybornut Před 2 lety +1

    Didn’t know instrument repair can be so elegantly violent, awesome video

    • @Cybornut
      @Cybornut Před 2 lety

      I mean, precision violence is extremely elegant

  • @carolbuzelim
    @carolbuzelim Před 2 lety +4

    No music. No talking. Pure art

  • @wuhazet
    @wuhazet Před 2 měsíci

    Te odgłosy wydawane przez Ciebie podczas tej naprawy, westchnienie, stękanie itp pokazują, jak ciężka fizycznie jest to praca. Wieki szacun.

  • @ricoludovici2825
    @ricoludovici2825 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow!! This is like visiting Gepetto's workshop. I didn't think people even had these skills any more. What a master!!

  • @ryansaylor6043
    @ryansaylor6043 Před 2 lety +2

    Your talent and workmanship are top notch. Some of these instruments look like they were run over by a space shuttle. But you make them look brand new again. Keep up the good work.

  • @garrybryant7804
    @garrybryant7804 Před 2 lety

    What a refreshing change to see an actual craftsman.thats some serious skill thankyou

  • @willmorrison1022
    @willmorrison1022 Před 2 lety

    Sir, I just recently came across your channel, and I must admit that I am thoroughly impressed. As a string instrument builder who dabbles in sheet metal, I recognize that building and repair are two separate skills. You DEFINITELY have the repair thing well in hand. Honestly, I have to wonder just what the customer did to put this instrument in this condition, but it doesn't seem to matter, as anything seems to be within the realm of your skills. Big kudos.
    A trumpet player friend of mine ran over his horn length wise, one very dark night. It was his horn that he had worked for several summers to buy as a kid, and he was in his 60's now. I told him he should just frame it and put it on the wall. He sent it back to the factory and they had to replace the bell, but could pound everything else out. He still has and plays that horn to this day. It cost him about 4 times more to rebuild it than to buy it.

  • @cmcer1995
    @cmcer1995 Před 2 lety +15

    I thought the bell looked impossible, but this was hard to believe that you were able to get in there and work out those dents. Obviously it took a lot of time and energy and know how with the right equipment. I am sure it is not an inexpensive fix either but it cam out very well.

  • @darrylthehorntoadpiper

    What a master you are on fixing those instruments, glad you can save them!!👍👍😊

  • @moonbear5929
    @moonbear5929 Před 2 lety +1

    I would have assumed that horn dead and would have given it it's last rites. But you preformed a miracle and resurrected it! Amazing work!

    • @everydaylifer2019
      @everydaylifer2019 Před 3 měsíci

      If we did that then every school would have kids wanting to learn the French horn with nothing to play.

  • @Joodster
    @Joodster Před rokem

    I would never have thought that twisted mess would be a beautiful horn again. Fascinating set of stakes and burnishers used to do that job. That and brute strength. :D

  • @tymeryder7264
    @tymeryder7264 Před 2 lety

    Brings new meaning to being one with the metal. Props!

  • @gwarren6386
    @gwarren6386 Před 2 lety +1

    I was blown away by the first video. I was so positive you wouldn’t be able to reach the second damaged area. Man was I wrong. Brute strength, finesse, a gift. Any way you categorize it, it is “other level skill”. Joy to watch you work!

  • @frankferraro5082
    @frankferraro5082 Před rokem

    Artist!!! For sure

  • @danielbenfreeman
    @danielbenfreeman Před 2 lety

    Amazing. I thought it was totalled but you brought it back to life. Bravo.

  • @ErsatzMcGuffin
    @ErsatzMcGuffin Před 5 měsíci

    Watched both videos. Very impressive! Thank You for entertaining me.
    I acquired a French Horn when I was a kid. Hand me down. I played Bugle in school. I don't recall what happened to either one. I dropped it for guitar when I was 15, before the relationship with the French Horn got physical. I actually didn't like played Bugle because of all the parading around I did as a Cub and Boy Scout. The school band was good, it encourage my interest in music.

  • @blcouch
    @blcouch Před 3 lety +9

    Amazing work!

  • @Alex_science
    @Alex_science Před rokem

    Unbeliavable! Fantastic job!

  • @GenMaster124
    @GenMaster124 Před 2 lety

    Amazing craftsmanship ….thanks for sharing 👏🏻👏🏻

  • @dhansel4835
    @dhansel4835 Před 2 lety

    Over the decades I have heard how they do it but until CZcams came around now we know. Great Job.

  • @robertbelardo7087
    @robertbelardo7087 Před 7 měsíci

    Thank you for your hard work and dedication

  • @grumble2009
    @grumble2009 Před 2 lety +3

    I love your work - thanks for taking the time and effort to make videos!
    I chuckle every time you use a snare stand to hold your work - that's a fantastic idea!

  • @makeupyourmindinator
    @makeupyourmindinator Před 2 lety +1

    This is a very gentle man that you do not want to get into a fight with.

  • @mouradbensafi2144
    @mouradbensafi2144 Před 2 lety

    You have to see it to believe it is a real work and artist. Well done.👏

  • @matthewfocke5360
    @matthewfocke5360 Před rokem

    You are a master at your craft! Superb work!

  • @Eric_In_SF
    @Eric_In_SF Před rokem

    Watching your videos I can’t help but think you would be an amazing masseuse.

  • @AlbertoGonzalez-gp1kf
    @AlbertoGonzalez-gp1kf Před 3 lety +4

    Jeez. Who needs the gym when you have this?

  • @Roderik81
    @Roderik81 Před 2 lety

    A true craftsman

  • @pfzht
    @pfzht Před 2 lety +1

    Some members of our school band had loaners too but for some reason nobody ever mistreated their instruments like that. Unbelievable. Excellent restoration!

    • @schrodingerscat1863
      @schrodingerscat1863 Před 6 měsíci

      Damage like that is reasonably common on french horns, it is a heavy and quite awkward instrument and they do get dropped. Metal on the bottom is quite thin and soft so damage like this can easily occur.

  • @jamesmehigan2407
    @jamesmehigan2407 Před rokem

    You are scary amazing at what you do. Truly. Respect!

  • @valshaped
    @valshaped Před rokem

    If you're treating something gingerly for all the time you have it, you will never understand how truly fragile it might be. I have learned that shocking lesson just a few too many times; seeing someone else's folly makes me glad it wasn't mine.
    Great work fixing this wonderful instrument.

  • @stoker20
    @stoker20 Před 2 lety +1

    That guy must have many spirits looking over his shoulder learning things and being amazed.

  • @chrisostling805
    @chrisostling805 Před 4 měsíci

    OK, I'm hooked, I am a musician and a craftsman, I really enjoy watching the metal finishing work, I know how to do it with steel, but have never done it with brass.

  • @hiramabif9043
    @hiramabif9043 Před 2 lety +3

    👍....Bravo!, gut gemacht!..
    Ich bin deutscher Büchsenmacher und habe auch schon einige Jagdhörner ausgebeult.
    Dabei hilft keine Elektronik, nur echtes Handwerk!!...

  • @Randazler
    @Randazler Před 2 lety

    Great work by the way!

  • @benmanuel3502
    @benmanuel3502 Před 5 měsíci

    Had to see the conclusion!

  • @Gamstercam
    @Gamstercam Před 2 lety

    I mean, absolutely incredible.

  • @jamesburnett7085
    @jamesburnett7085 Před 3 lety +2

    OMG! So amazing!

  • @Patataf
    @Patataf Před 4 měsíci

    Friggin' magician you are man. As we say in french, CHAPEAU!

  • @adilson1973reges
    @adilson1973reges Před rokem +1

    O homem certo com as ferramentas certas! Maravilhosa sua arte!!

  • @smaug06
    @smaug06 Před 2 lety

    Todo un maestro, Bravo!!!

  • @aguythatworkstoomuch4624
    @aguythatworkstoomuch4624 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Still the result is amazing!

  • @monkfry
    @monkfry Před 2 lety

    Skills and a Boss Hat!!

  • @user-vp5zv2hw3j
    @user-vp5zv2hw3j Před 2 lety

    Great skills, great hands!

  • @MrNeoxenium
    @MrNeoxenium Před 4 měsíci

    Its a very hard work. Respect!

  • @Sojourning_
    @Sojourning_ Před rokem

    Pure magic... Loved metal working: nothing along the lines what you do, as an HDR/W operating engineers, A mixing company one of the cement trucks, the upper hopper was tweaked / bent way out of shape, I told the shop foreman,
    or said something to him, why don't you straighten that out, there's nothing wrong with it; he laughed at me, I said I can fix it, bear in mind, it's partly doubled plated steal, stiff, heavy duty., Much to my liking, took me a couple of days, they didn't think it could be fixed, teamsters. showed them. You need to know how to talk to it. I'm retired now. Love it, your finished work is awesome.......

  • @TheBugkillah
    @TheBugkillah Před 2 lety +2

    If this gig doesn’t work out for you, you may still have a career in chiropractic… ;~)
    Great job!

  • @ghalihitmi
    @ghalihitmi Před 2 lety

    Absolutely amazing hats off sir😍

  • @hpprinterclarinda3252
    @hpprinterclarinda3252 Před 2 lety +1

    Master piece

  • @pushyred
    @pushyred Před 2 lety

    I just wish my shop was this organized!

  • @seeharvester
    @seeharvester Před 3 měsíci

    That's amazing.

  • @user-kt9lr9ib7l
    @user-kt9lr9ib7l Před 2 lety

    Я не думал что такие реставрационные работы не проводят, супер

  • @Fromard
    @Fromard Před 2 lety +1

    Kind of reminds me of my wedding night.

  • @pinino2009
    @pinino2009 Před rokem

    QUE MAESTRO!!!!!!

  • @brucejenner4800
    @brucejenner4800 Před rokem

    West, you are a damn genius 👏

  • @Axeglass
    @Axeglass Před 2 lety

    you need to do customer reactions this was an amazing repair!

  • @williemacon30
    @williemacon30 Před 2 lety +2

    I’m a big fan of this guy he is so amazing at what he does the question that I have is I wonder how many instruments he fix in a day

  • @7litres
    @7litres Před 2 lety

    Incredible

  • @terapode
    @terapode Před rokem

    That´s a nice shop.

  • @NSResponder
    @NSResponder Před rokem +1

    I am astounded that such damage can be repaired at all.

  • @jesuisaucun
    @jesuisaucun Před 2 lety

    Grande 👏👏👏

  • @andyquinn1125
    @andyquinn1125 Před 2 lety

    Beautiful

  • @chrisrenino8612
    @chrisrenino8612 Před rokem

    Amazing work! Crumpled metal gradually transformed into something as supple and smooth as human skin. Incredible. One question: why tackle the bell before working on the throat of the horn? Although I must add, while working on the throat, you didn’t seem to do the bell any damage. Beautiful craftsmanship!

  • @southfloridaarcheryguy114

    Am I the only one watching the bell slam into the vice repeatedly?

  • @tomf3150
    @tomf3150 Před 2 lety

    Most impressive sir.

  • @littlecabininthebigwoods5720

    It would be a nice addition to your videos to get the player’s reaction to the fix and to hear it played by them.

  • @user-vu7cd6zl8u
    @user-vu7cd6zl8u Před 2 lety

    Good job!

  • @jimmyacha6888
    @jimmyacha6888 Před 2 lety

    You magician !

  • @mariopiercarlomarino5178

    Bravo 👏👏👏

  • @NeoRichardBlake
    @NeoRichardBlake Před 2 lety +1

    I can't tell you how many public school instruments look just like this. So sad. Kids who don't own the instrument don't take care of them very well. I assume that's what this was. I suppose it's possible it was a yard sale find that the new owner actually cared about too. Nice job restoring it.

  • @rheubengreen8612
    @rheubengreen8612 Před rokem

    Amazing

  • @theotrotchie
    @theotrotchie Před 7 dny

    That is patience!

  • @oficinanasala
    @oficinanasala Před 2 lety

    Muito bom trabalho parabéns

  • @rotten-Z
    @rotten-Z Před 4 měsíci

    This was a great orchestral battle, judging by the state of the armor.
    Deeper-Deeper Harder-Harder.
    You can rarely find videos on CZcams in which a dude intensively pushes his long stick deep, uses various tools and gallons of lube to stretch the pipe. I hope that she, who is the owner of the pipe, was satisfied with the result of his efforts

  • @alyssagriffin5781
    @alyssagriffin5781 Před 11 měsíci

    God bless. Now a child can learn horn! I know who to come to if I want to rescue a horn myself! #frenchHornsAreExpensive

  • @johnbaptist1928
    @johnbaptist1928 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow!!!

  • @bibsythecottonelf7147
    @bibsythecottonelf7147 Před 2 lety

    His apron was made less than a mile from my house! Sweet!

  • @KelseyJohanna1016
    @KelseyJohanna1016 Před 3 lety +14

    Is there a reason why you don’t heat treat/anneal the metal before reshaping it? You do beautiful work!

    • @wesleemusicrepair9820
      @wesleemusicrepair9820  Před 3 lety +50

      Yes. Besides destroying the finish, it would not have gained me anything. Did not anneal because I didn’t use forces enough for making the bell brittle. Have to be delicate with how much force you use. However, In another circumstance, if I were overhauling with a refinish, after I get most all of the scarring out, I would anneal or “normalize” the brass. Can’t do a full anneal because of the soft soldered in wire rim.

    • @hyfy-tr2jy
      @hyfy-tr2jy Před 2 lety

      @@wesleemusicrepair9820 In watching this video....what would be the difference between the large patch you put on the horn (because you couldn't reach the dents as they were too far in, and instead cut off the bell so that you could get deeper, push out the dents then reattach the bell with a sleeve? I would think (and mind you I know NOTHING of your profession) that a sleeve would maintain a more harmonious and pleasing sound than a patch would that creates asymmetry in the tube