Tag Archives: Bucephalus

Fogelfoot visits the HornSmasher

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Bucephalus is about 35 years old, the same age as Dante when he went to Hell, and needed some professional help.

John Pedersen of Pedersen’s Band & Orchestra of Burbank submitted the venerable baritone horn to a chemical bath and an array of exotic undentings. He said at one point that he had removed “28 years of gunk” from its pipes (I mention this because I can’t believe how much I am paying for the rental from a shyster outfit in Bellflower), and he also soldered various fittings back together that had come undone.

In addition to repairing instruments, Pedersen’s shop has music teachers on location as well as online. His site HornSmasher.com features a line of free instrument care videos, as well as graphic fotage of Susaphones being run over by steamrollers.

Duct and cover: Bronson Bar 5.31

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Prior to Tuesday’s show at the Bronson Bar, Bucephalus popped a slide; I would have to hold it in as I played.

“You should use some duct tape,” said Rei Yoshioka, ardent fan.

“I would love some duct tape,” I said. Continue reading →

Bucephalus in a tub

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For four years of high school I did not clean my Baritone Horn once, nor my trumpet, nor my trombone. I was what is known as a “lackluster musician.” Now, that million$ are at stake, I made the connection between the otherworldly, Cthulhu-summoning sounds emitting from Bucephalus and the notion that perhaps the horn was innercaked with years of sludge.

So I learned on the Internet how to clean the thing, and above you see Step One: Bathe That Shit. 36 hours later my horn is loud, sweet, and clear, slathered with essential oils and greases, and rid of decades of Only-the-Los-Angeles-DWP-Knows-for-Sure.

See you this weekend at Pappy & Harriet’s.