New trumpets often have the same sticking issue, for the same reason. The valves (either new or replaced) are a VERY tight fit, so some "break in" time is needed. I usually advise my students to wipe the valves down and oil them daily for the first few weeks of "break in". After three weeks or so of daily playing (preceded by the daily wipe down and oiling), the valves break in and no longer stick. Sometimes, when a player sells a horn to another, the way the push their valves down differ, and the valves on a used horn will also stick. This is a more difficult issue to solve and often either involves some minor lapping, or player adjustments of hand positioning and valve stroke with the finger. I enjoy your videos, thank you for your thorough discussion on issues and their reasons.
I imagine, based on the way that other invoice was *typed* out, that this Strad hasn't worked in quite a while. I know I'd be thrilled to finally have it working! Also, the size of the, uh... "bell flares" on the previous repairperson...Charging all that to not fix it. Sure, I'd expect payment for parts, particularly new ones, but if it still doesn't work, that's on me.
This may make you cringe, but on most lapping jobs I leave the button off and actually insert the valve stem into the chuck of my hand drill and spin it on the low speed setting. Now, I'm servicing hundreds of rental trumpets many of which take a beating, I would never use this method on a Bach Stradivarius.
I’ve got an old conn trumpet from the 1950s and the valves have this same problem. I assumed this would be general wear and tear so was thinking about replating but I might try this lapping trick first.
You probably can do it at home if you have some knowledge of metal and how valves work. Be careful to clean the valve and the casing well after you are done to get out all of the lapping compound.
I hope the customer didn't pay a huge amount for that instrument, since I'm sure that all these repairs can't have been that cheap. Sometimes you win on getting something for cheap, sometimes you don't. This may have been the latter case.
New trumpets often have the same sticking issue, for the same reason. The valves (either new or replaced) are a VERY tight fit, so some "break in" time is needed. I usually advise my students to wipe the valves down and oil them daily for the first few weeks of "break in". After three weeks or so of daily playing (preceded by the daily wipe down and oiling), the valves break in and no longer stick. Sometimes, when a player sells a horn to another, the way the push their valves down differ, and the valves on a used horn will also stick. This is a more difficult issue to solve and often either involves some minor lapping, or player adjustments of hand positioning and valve stroke with the finger. I enjoy your videos, thank you for your thorough discussion on issues and their reasons.
I know nothing about instrument repair but your videos are very entertaining to watch. Thanks for creating them!
You really know your craft/trade. Thanks for these very helpful procedures.
Wow, thanks Henry Gibson, for showing some of the secrets to trumpet repairs!
Teacher, this tactic can be applied to other euphonioum and tuba as well. I am very pleased with your teaching. May you have more new repair tactics.
These are great. Definitely appreciate the methodical approach!
I like The Band Instrument Detective intro jingle 🎶
I imagine, based on the way that other invoice was *typed* out, that this Strad hasn't worked in quite a while. I know I'd be thrilled to finally have it working!
Also, the size of the, uh... "bell flares" on the previous repairperson...Charging all that to not fix it. Sure, I'd expect payment for parts, particularly new ones, but if it still doesn't work, that's on me.
wish that I lived in the USA ; I would send you my Soprano sax to do.
This may make you cringe, but on most lapping jobs I leave the button off and actually insert the valve stem into the chuck of my hand drill and spin it on the low speed setting. Now, I'm servicing hundreds of rental trumpets many of which take a beating, I would never use this method on a Bach Stradivarius.
I have used that method a few times in rare circumstances.
I’ve got an old conn trumpet from the 1950s and the valves have this same problem. I assumed this would be general wear and tear so was thinking about replating but I might try this lapping trick first.
Is this a repair that you think I’d be able to do at home?
You probably can do it at home if you have some knowledge of metal and how valves work. Be careful to clean the valve and the casing well after you are done to get out all of the lapping compound.
I hope the customer didn't pay a huge amount for that instrument, since I'm sure that all these repairs can't have been that cheap. Sometimes you win on getting something for cheap, sometimes you don't. This may have been the latter case.
Are you gonna charge the guy the original 500 bucks the first repair guy tried to scam him for? =D Great video!
No, It was a lot less than that.
Couldn't of you just eased the edge on the valve itself so it doesn't dig in. Only removing metal on the valve
I guess Bach ante what she used to be! I have a Getzen. The valves never stick . I owned a Mt Vernon Bach. They never stuck ether