At Elliott Brass, we routinely handle instruments requiring care, but occasionally, a true heavyweight challenge rolls into the workshop. This Besson Sovereign EEb Bass arrived in a state suggesting it had endured years of severe neglect, perhaps even residing at the bottom of a harbor. The instrument presented a daunting profile: the brass was severely pitted and corroded, multiple large dents marred the bell and bodywork, and the sheer volume of decay necessitated reinforcing the very workbench before we could begin work. This level of deterioration is rare, demanding not just standard repair skills, but a deep commitment to metallurgical and mechanical restoration.
The primary technical hurdle lay in the tuning slides, which were entirely seized—a condition our technician, Paul, accurately described as ‘welded by time.’ This fusion occurs when verdigris, mineral deposits, and decades of stagnant moisture bond the inner and outer slide tubes immovably. Attempting to force them risks catastrophic structural failure. Furthermore, the extensive surface corrosion signaled advanced zinc rot, threatening the structural integrity of the brass itself. Addressing this required careful chemical neutralization of the rot before any aesthetic or mechanical repairs could commence, treating the Sovereign less like an instrument and more like an archaeological salvage operation.
The restoration process was intensive, leveraging specialized techniques to reverse years of decay. Paul began by utilizing targeted heat application and specialized slide pullers to free the frozen mechanisms without damage, restoring smooth, frictionless movement. Following this, the extensive dent work was completed, meticulously reshaping the heavy brass to restore its original acoustic profile. The final stages involved intensive cleaning, precise chemical etching to remove the pervasive rot, and a high-polish finish, removing every trace of the instrument’s troubled past and transforming its appearance from battleship gray to brilliant gold.
The results speak volumes: the rot has been fully neutralized, the slides now operate with effortless precision—moving, as we say, ‘like butter’—and the instrument’s formidable presence is fully restored. This massive overhaul not only salvaged a high-value Sovereign but reaffirmed our capacity for extreme instrument rescue. If your prized low brass instrument seems beyond hope, perhaps looking like it survived a maritime disaster, Elliott Brass possesses the unique expertise and tenacity required to bring it back to full, rumbling performance capacity. We thrive on challenges that others deem impossible.
View this product: EEb Tuba (Bass) Details