New Ahooga Horns from Suppliers

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

One of the key things is when you get an original horn rebuilt, all you are getting is the motor rebuilt. Most of the time, the projector and cover needs bodywork and paint, and many times the screen and the tag also need replacing. With a new repro, it is ready to bolt on without any assembly or paintwork.

Sounds like there’s a niche open for a small-time operator who did motor repairs and had a big stock of good sheet metal parts so he could fully restore cores.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Sounds like there’s a niche open for a small-time operator who did motor repairs and had a big stock of good sheet metal parts so he could fully restore cores.

I doubt it. I have the capability to fully restore horns. I'm not sure I could do it for less than the $325 cost of a new horn.

Purchasing the "core" horn, parts needed to restore the horn (tag, screen, etc.), hardware plating, sandblasting, priming and painting of the horn, and the associated materials would likely exceed any profit that makes it worthwhile. Then add in my time.

Just the amount of time to prep the area to prime or paint, and the clean up afterwards is several hours!

[ronn]

What hitman says is pretty much true across the board.
Ask Brentwood Bob how profitable selling rebuilt shocks is.

a labor of love.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

It is worth noting that while the new A&L horns were very close to being aesthetically correct, they are not close enough to be judged in MARC/MAFCA competition. I think there will always be a place for the reproduction horns within the hobby, AND for the horn restorer too.