Hello, right now I am currently on a Getzen 3047AFR, I like the horn however it needs a lot of maintenance, specifically with the lacquer. It also missing a the wood that goes on the trigger and the brace that is it at the tip of the slide. I have been reading and a lot of things are saying I am better off buying a new horn that risking tone quality and relacquering the horn itself. Some people have said to strip the lacquer but i personally don’t find that appealing and i don’t want to have to polish it as frequently. Would it be a better option to try and take care of this horn or should i consider purchasing a new horn?

Welcome!

Firstly, there should be no brace at the end of the slide. You can buy a Sauer Brace that goes there but it is supposed to make subtle changes to the sound and most of us do not use one. Plastic trombones have such a brace because of structural issues.

You can buy a wooden dowel to put over the trigger, but I don't think the 3047 came with one. If money is a consideration, you could make one yourself. I put a short piece of vinyl tubing on one horn.

Lacquer is a thorny issue. Getting a trombone refinished is an expensive procedure, especially if you want it done right. If you put too thick a coat on the instrument you can dull the response. Still, a good refinish job will cost less than a new Getzen 3047. I don't know who does refinishing jobs where you are (I assume it's not the US) but if you give us a rough area, maybe somebody can give a recommendation. If appearance is more of an issue there are nice looking Chinese made horns that will cost less than refinishing your 3047 but they won't play as well.

Thank you! I referred to it wrong it meant the bumper not the brace <EMOJI seq="1f605" tseq="1f605">😅</EMOJI>, but again thank you for this!

A replacement bumper should be available from any decent repair shop. Installation should take under a minute and if he charges you more than $5.00 for the part he's ripping you off. Most repair shops will replace the bumper for free as part of any repair job.

The trigger (apparently some 3047s have wood (plastic?) there, some don't) and the bumper are easy problems to solve. The lacquer is expensive, but can be ignored. Do you really require a beautiful horn? If it's uncomfortable, you could cover the important parts in leather grips. You can let the exposed brass darken if you don't want to polish it to match the still-lacquered bits. If you strip the whole horn, you can let it darken, too. Some find the patina very attractive.

If you're hyper-concerned with lacquer loss, you may need to replace your horn every few years. I don't want to live in that world. I try not to be so superficial. I suppose you could also get a silver-plated instrument, but that limits your choices.

You could replace half the horn if one part is worse than the other. If your bell section is where most the wear is you could get a second bell, maybe in yellow brass so you can switch them out for different gigs.

If you like Getzen, check out the 4047ET and the 4147IB. Both are great horns and could be considered the "next level" horn after the 3047 so long as you are ok with traditional rotor.

I wouldn't re-lacquer the Getzen, it's too expensive. Re-lacquering makes more sense for older, "collectable" horns that you can't buy new anymore, but you should be able to get a decent 3047 new or lightly used if you want one.

How bad the the lacquer? Have you considered hand grips on the horn? Some people also have sweat that pretty much blasts through even the most sturdy lacquer and into the metal. When is the last time the horn was in and serviced?

I think you are really in a situation where you really detest the tarnishing of the brass and feel that is high maintenance. Lacquering or refinishing the horn is certainly an idea albeit you definitely risk response and sound changing a bit in a way that you wont like, especially right after dumping a bunch of money into the refinish job. Looking at a new horn is in the same boat if you are buying sight unseen. even buying a bell section or slide section can change the feel of the specific horn you play so I dont necessarily recommend that either

This is just my opinion: I think if you like the sound, keep the horn. get leather grips or something. If you are ok with the tarnished brass look, just stop polishing the brass. let it tarnish. a good horn that is not a looker is better than a horn that is a looker but is not a player. the 3047AFR is already a top of the line horn and one of the great ones at that from a big maker. in terms of Getzen, only the 40xx lineup is of a higher tier if you want to call it that although i see those as more artist specific models.

now if it REALLY gets on your nerves about the tarnished brass look to the point you keep having to rummage your mind about it and lose sleep over it, keep playing your horn and play test various horns. play in person the specific horn you would want to trade for/buy. But again money invested to trade your current horn which is a sure player but not a looker for another horn that may or may not give you buyers remorse after a time.

For me, the first question is WHAT places are with bad laquer?

Second is HOW big they are?

Handslide braces and neckpipe - use leather grips, as mentioned before.

Outers or bell - little polish and car wax, or leave it as is.

For me sound and feel matters much more than how my horn looks.

Thank you for all the answers, I apologize for not specifying but for the lacquer is pretty much completely gone from the tuning slides, the tuning slides and parts of the bell.