A retirement home for antique brass instruments

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by brass instruments. The beauty of a shiny finish or deep natural patina, the intricate bends of the tubing, and the unique voices they possess never cease to amaze me. The older instruments, handmade by true artisans, carry a special aesthetic quality and character that modern, mass-produced instruments often lack.

Unfortunately, many of these historical treasures end up forgotten in attics, damp basements, or hanging decoratively on pub walls. Over time, they are often dismissed as junk. My mission is to rescue them, return them to playing condition, and admire them as the historical works of art they truly are.

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Exploring the Collection

 

From exceptionally rare 19th-century French ophicleides to unusual hybrid alto horns, and from pioneering Bohemian rotary-valve setups to sentimental post-war family heirlooms—this collection celebrates the evolution, quirks, and brilliant engineering of historic brass making.

Working with a modest budget, I focus on preservation rather than flawless cosmetic restoration. I tackle most mechanical issues and frozen slides myself, turning to professional craftsmen only for critical damage, complex rebuilding, or severe compression leaks.

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Bringing History back to Life

 

Not all instruments in my collection are fully retired. Once in a while, I take the playable ones out on a "Field Trip" just for the joy of making music. I occasionally record these sessions so you can hear how these historical quirks and tuning systems actually sound; you can find these demonstrations on my YouTube channel.

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This site is an ongoing work in progress as the collection evolves. If you enjoy exploring these instruments, please consider a donation to help maintain the website and fund future conservation projects.

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Please feel free to send me a message if you have any questions, insights, or remarks about the collection!