Doc Frazier's work on my 1947 Conn 6m

[bentaxle]

Just thought folks might like to see some work that Doc Frazier has recently finished on my Conn 6m alto. I purchased the horn here on SotW a couple of years ago, and this very late (1947) rolled tone hole example was promising, but the finish was in bad shape and the pads were shot. There was mild red corrosion on the neck,

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and severe red rot on the low Eb tone hole

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Well, I had Doc work his "magic", and a few results of the full gold plated restoration are shown here. I would assume that this will soon become one of Doc's projects shown on his website:

http://www.jandjwoodwinds.com/

in the near future, where likely many more shots will be shown, but it is not there yet. Clearly, he was very careful with the nice engraving. And the matte body, with "bright" keys and engraving are very striking.
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What can't be shown on a posting like this is the fantastic job Doc did in setting up the horn. It now plays really well top to bottom, with kangaroo pads, flat riveted resonators, and new springs. It is set up very light and fast, just like I asked, and I've been playing it for a few weeks and find it set up perfectly for me, although it is a little more responsive than I am used to with the new slick action. But that's how I wanted it, and I am adjusting quickly.

In any case, I really appreciate SotW, since I bought the horn and became aware of Doc through this site, and thought I'd let folks know about the outcome of this project.

[SAXISMYAXE]

Wonderful work. I've seen some of Doc's "resurrection" restorations, and they are nothing less than 1st rate.

[Doc Frazier]

Thank you! I'm working on the pic folder for the website. The pics are too large for the server requirements. There will be plenty of pics! Have a blessed day!

[ratracer]

Gnarly looking originally! Beautiful after wards. If it plays as good as it looks, good one on you and Doc!

[bentaxle]

Indeed, saxismyaxe, it really is first rate all the way. And ratracer, if anything it plays better than it looks. I wanted to resurrect this horn, and make it look good in the process, but the most important thing to me is the playing. I can't put it down without wanting to pick it up again. It is just so smooth and fluid under my fingers. The setup is really superb. Huge kudos to Doc for all the effort on this!

[ratracer]

How long does it take for that kind of restoration?

[monkmydear]

A true piece of art!!!
Nothing nicer than a classic vintage sax fully restored. If it plays half good as it looks you have a winner. Congratulations!!

[bentaxle]

In looking at my original post, after the fact, I realized that my "after" shots don't include views of where the problems were shown in the "before" pictures. So here are views of the neck and the region near the low Eb tone hole (but the keys are on here, so it's a different view, but you can tell things look totally different!). Also, I hope that everyone realizes that you can click on the photos and get more detailed, enlarged photos which are much clearer!

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Obviously, there are too many nice angles and shots to include here, so maybe when Doc gets his server filled with more photos one can look at more of these.

Also ratracer asked how long the restoration took. I wasn't in a rush, and my time is probably not typical due to some other scheduling issues that were happening at JandJWoodwinds while my horn was being done. I'd strongly encourage you to discuss with Doc, if you're interested (and he may weigh in here as well, since he replied above). My horn was over a year, but Doc and I were in touch during that time and I wasn't in a rush and had no problem with all of that, but I am pretty sure that he would quote you a number more in the range of several months. Obviously, his estimate is more important that what I would be guessing.

[Doc Frazier]

How long does it take for that kind of restoration?

It depends what I have to do and what I have to start with. Bentaxle was great to work with. One thing people forget about our shop is that unless a gun is held to my head we HAND polish our restorations. It takes longer of course but the horns we have done have already been nearly buffed to death. I'll have before and after pics on the website later this week.

The delay issues here was/is from the car wreck and resulting major surgery that I had to have. We are getting everything caught up (no thanks to the people we hired and didn't bother to show up!) If anyone needs to deal with Bentaxle he has my 2 thumbs up!

Have a blessed day!

[griff136]

Great work there Doc. Looks a beauty.

[BOPITY FUNK]

Superb job, these 6m's are soo good! why spend a fortune on modern horns?

[HUTMO]

Nice work. It's a Swan! The key work on the 6 and 10M's is slick as all can be. I shrug my shoulders when I hear people talking about ergos on modern horns and how these old girls hold them back. Listen to the old recording when these horns ruled and no one is being held back.

Doc... FANTASTIC WORK

Bentaxle.... enjoy that sax.

HUTMO

[ratracer]

It depends what I have to do and what I have to start with. Bentaxle was great to work with. One thing people forget about our shop is that unless a gun is held to my head we HAND polish our restorations. It takes longer of course but the horns we have done have already been nearly buffed to death. I'll have before and after pics on the website later this week.

The delay issues here was/is from the car wreck and resulting major surgery that I had to have. We are getting everything caught up (no thanks to the people we hired and didn't bother to show up!) If anyone needs to deal with Bentaxle he has my 2 thumbs up!

Have a blessed day!

Thanks Doc! Given what you've been through, surprised you got it done. If/when I ever get a nice vintage horn, I'm of the mind to restore it to near new condition. I like 'em shiny and wax nostalgic over getting my hands on something that's been restored as good as new. Like taking it out of it's case for the first time and giving it it's first blow! Make it last another lifetime for me and then someone else, like a grand kid or something!

[bentaxle]

Yes! ... to all the comments about the beautiful work that Doc has done. It really looks fantastic. Makes me want to pick up the horn. But once I pick it up, the playing is fantastic. The action is so quick and light. And, per Hutmo, I truly am enjoying it, and there isn't enough time in the day to play it as much as I want to. Doc really knows how to make a vintage horn beautiful, both to look at and to play.

[kerry]

Superb job, these 6m's are soo good! why spend a fortune on modern horns?

Because it costs so much to restore them

Looks great Doc! Nice work, as usual.

[Doc Frazier]

Because it costs so much to restore them

Looks great Doc! Nice work, as usual.

Considering what folks pay for some "modern horns" it is actually cheaper to restore the old pro horns!

[Graftonsax]

Oh my, Doc that looks killer, fantastic job. I wouldn't believe it was the same horn without the before and after pics. I really like the fact the horn looks correct, that is how a gold plated 6m looked from the factory.

[Doc Frazier]

New pics of Bentaxle's horn and website update @ www.JandJWoodwinds.com

[Rob Dorsey]

Hey Doc,

Can't fully and completely thank you for the wonderful work you did on my 10M (http://thisoldhorn.com/Horns/conn.10m.html) so I'll do it publicly.

Superb work Doctor! Due to his unfortunate accident and my unfortunate neurological condition Doc understood fully why and what I needed to make the 10M work for me. This man is a Godsend. If you can, you gotta take advantage of his talent. And if you're around Cincinnati you gotta come by and play this thing.

Thanks again Doc,
Rob

[bentaxle]

Doc:

Thanks for posting the whole project (Conn 6m satin/bright 24k Gold) on your site. It's cool to see where this all started, given how great it looks now. And it really does "sing" after all your work! Thanks again. (Rob Dorsey's job sounds like a lot of interesting modifications!)