Six weeks in, working at The Mighty Quinn has already proven to be a unique experience - in the best kind of way. From the neon pink flamingo and fairy lights in the front office, to the stacks of incredibly old, rare, and interesting instruments in the warehouse, it's difficult to turn a corner without running into something - or someone - strange and interesting. Even amongst typical band repair shops, which are generally atypical work spaces to begin with, the Mighty Quinn stands apart.
I have the better part of a decade's work experience in food service, from a flat top grill laden with food, I have transitioned to a flat bench laden with instruments and tools - and couldn't be happier. Breathing new life into old instruments is not always easy, and sometimes can be very frustrating. But the victory of resuscitating a horn that has seen better to days, to give it another chance to bend air and create music once more, is very fulfilling.
The horns that come across our benches aren't just dime a dozen heaps of twisted metal (well, not all of them), but quite often, actual pieces of artistic history. The opportunity to restore musical artifacts is a privilege I will forever be grateful to have.
Pictured is a 1904 Conn "Conn-queror" Cornet that I gave a clean, polish, and a little dent work- the first time I held an instrument over 100 years old!
TJ
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What’s on My Bench? A 1904 Conn Connquerer Cornet
What's on My Bench? A Conn 10M Tenor Sax