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The pure copper metal that remains is full of holes where the zinc used to be, and it is left in a weakened state. When this occurs the structural integrity of the metal is compromised. The raised white bump in the middle is zinc oxide, and the bright pink blemish on the horn is the copper that is left behind. This process is caused because under the right conditions, the zinc in the brass will oxidise and leach out of the metal, leaving behind pure copper. This is usually accompanied by a raised spot in the center, either white or greenish in color. This occurs when concentrated spots of corrosion appear on the horn, and through a process called “dezincification” bright pinkish-red spots appear to bloom beneath the lacquer or silver plate. In extreme cases the corrosion of a lacquered or silver plated instrument can develop into a condition known to instrumentalists as “Red Rot”. Here are a few examples of Manufacturer Guarantees for the lacquer on their horns: This is because in most cases lacquer only lasts for a few years of use before it begins to degrade. The plastic coating is only there to protect the horn while it is in storage before it is purchased, but as soon as the horn is bought there is generally no warrantee or guarantee of any kind. Note: Companies do not guarantee the clear plastic finish on new instruments. If this is done before any damage occurs and continued for the entire life of the instrument, then any cracks or scratches or tiny holes can be kept sealed, preventing the player’s sweat from ever getting under the lacquer in the first place. There is one way to prevent this, or at least minimize these effects: all lacquered horns should be waxed often with a compatible clear coat wax polish. The result is that after a few years deep pits or etch marks will be permanently bored into the surface of the instrument. Because the lacquer traps all of these ingredients together and holds them there permanently, the corrosion of the brass is greatly accelerated wherever the lacquer is damaged. When all of these ingredients are combined (copper, zinc, salt, acid, and moisture) the result is that a tiny electric charge is generated. Brass is an alloy composed of two main metals: copper and zinc. Those salts and acids, together with a little moisture will get to work on the brass. Once inside they will become trapped, and that is when the mischief can begin. This sweat will contain small amounts of electrolytes (salts) and acids, which will find their way into the tiniest chink in the lacquer coating. The biggest enemy to the horn at this point is the perspiration (sweat) from the player’s hands. As soon as there is a hole in the lacquer the outside environment will begin to attack and corrode the brass. Once the lacquer gets even the smallest hole, a process will begin that can only be stopped by removing the lacquer from the instrument. This is why historically when companies have offered a guarantee on their horns that guarantee has not included the lacquer finish. It can also eventually occur simply through exposure to sunlight, or decomposition of the lacquer through age even a well-cared for instrument will eventually have its finish compromised through normal wear and tear. ![]() This can occur when the horn is scratched, if the lacquer gets chipped, or if the horn gets dented. 460".With a lacquered horn it is inevitable that the finish will eventually get damaged. The over all length is 19 1/2" (18 3/4" from bell rim to edge of curve), the bell rim diameter is 4 3/4" and the bore measures. When Dean's health was failing, he sold it to his good friend, Len Burns who eventually passed it on to me. Rafael Mendez gave this prototype trumpet to his friend, Dean Ames in the late 1970s. ![]() #Red rot brass instruments serial numbers#All known Olds serial numbers between 86,000 and 87,000 are Mendez trumpets and the next known number on one of these is 127,351, indicating that it took until early in 1955, after the factory moved to Fullerton, to complete and sell the first thousand. #Red rot brass instruments serial number#The production of Olds Mendez Trumpets started with the serial number 86,001 later in 1952 (earliest known is 86,004 was recently acquired by Dan Schultz). Further evidence showing that this is the only known prototype is shown in Eric Hamlin's "The Olds Register". The Mendez Trumpet was put into production in 1952 and he played multiple examples of that model for the rest of his life. Starting in 1950 or before, there were many publicity photos taken of Rafael Mendez and his two sons holding Olds Super and Super Recording model trumpets. ![]()
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