The Soundboard

[Brad H]

Just added a Bach C trumpet to my arsenal. It's about 6-7 years old. Model 239S/25H. Has anyone ever added a 3rd valve slide stop? My 180s72 has it as did my 180s43 and I find it convenient for two reasons: 1) I can preset the furthest distance I would throw it. 2) Keeps the slide from drifting all the way down when on a stand making it awkward to pick up horn quickly. Of course with the Bb horns the slide would fall off eventually without it. I bought this horn gently used, real clean inside and valves show little wear. Compression is awesome. One more question... I noticed the "rubber" pads on the top valve caps appear to be a more porous type of material. Not quite like the solid rubber ones that are standard that look more like plumbing washers (not knocking them...they work fine). I also notice the pads underneath the top valve caps are the same type of material...not felt like any other stock Bach I have ever seen or owned. Does this mean the horn has had some type of alignment done? I will say it plays beautifully and I had it play tested by my teacher...a top notch performer/teacher and he gave it two thumbs up.
Thanks!
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Brad Hersch
Bugler-Assistant State Director, PA
Bugles Across America

[ksievers]

I would bet that yes it has some kind of alignment done. If it plays well leave that alone.. if you put other pads in there it'll be different.

certainly you can have a stop rod put on there. it's done all the time. Dillon's can do it with "real" parts; I'm sure other shops can too.

excellent!
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Karl Sievers, DMA. Professor, School of Music, University of Oklahoma; Principal Trumpet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Bach Artist/Clinician; General Manager, National Trumpet Competition

[Brad H]

Dr. S, Thanks for the quick reply. I kind of figured a valve alignment was done as from what I have read techs suchs as Reeves don't use felt when they do alignments as felt is compressible over time. I was definitely planning on leaving the valves alone. The horn is in mint condition and I can say I love playing it. Love the sound I get out of it. My local tech, Ted Woehr at Volkwein in Pittsburgh (a top notch tech) uses all genuine Bach parts. They are authorized Bach dealers. I'm going to have him add a water key to the third valve slide like I always do so I'll have him add the stop rod at the same time. I learn a lot from you and other contributors on this forum and want to thank you again.
_________________
Brad Hersch
Bugler-Assistant State Director, PA
Bugles Across America

[Brad H]

I forgot to mention that the one thing I noticed about this horn is it pretty much gives me the same Bach sound I get from my 180s72 which I love. At least it's very similar. Today my teacher had me transposing a lot. We did one exersize where I played a piece as written on C trumpet and he transposed the same part on Bb trumpet. He was playing on a 180s43. We blended very well together. Only problem is after doing so much transposing I would occasionally forget to play what was written and transpose a note. It was good ear training though. Guess that's why he's the teacher and I'm the student.
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Brad Hersch
Bugler-Assistant State Director, PA
Bugles Across America

[ksievers]

I have heard nothing but great things about that shop. sounds like you are in good hands.

and yes, nothing like transposing when you're not supposed to! been there..
_________________
Karl Sievers, DMA. Professor, School of Music, University of Oklahoma; Principal Trumpet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Bach Artist/Clinician; General Manager, National Trumpet Competition

[Brad H]

Interestingly I discovered last night why my 239/25H has "different" looking valve "pads". I was checking out Bob Reeves' website and noticed it had a place to search serial numbers under the valve alignment section. Voila...on January 12th 2004 my horn had a Reeves Precision Valve Alignment. A nice bonus. Either way it sure is a great sounding horn.
_________________
Brad Hersch
Bugler-Assistant State Director, PA
Bugles Across America

[ksievers]

good for you, and yes a bonus for sure. so leave those pads alone (!).. they'll last forever. I've never worn mine out and I play constantly.

BTW all the valve parts are numbered by Reeves.. Stems, caps, etc.. make sure they are all where they should be.

I gave a lesson to a guy once who was griping about his valve job, not happy.. he had taken the valves apart and gotten the parts mixed up -

stem #1 on valve #3 with cap #2, or something like that, no wonder.

I showed him the numbers, we put it right, and he was all smiles...
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Karl Sievers, DMA. Professor, School of Music, University of Oklahoma; Principal Trumpet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Bach Artist/Clinician; General Manager, National Trumpet Competition

[Brad H]

Thanks Doc S. Yup...I noticed the numbers on everything. That's kinda what made me suspect it had a "real alignment" and not just someone putting in different looking pads and claiming an alignment was done as I'm sure is quite common. That is why I investigated the Reeves website. Everything is installed correctly so no problems there. The only problem I have now is that I can't blame the equipment if I tank a note. I guess I can but it wouldn't be right! Funny thing though as eveytime I pick up one of my Strads (180S72, 239/25H) I get a smile on my face. Not only do I love the way they sound and respond to me, but they just plain "feel right" in my hand. Obviously this encourages more practice time. I've been practicing a lot with the olympics on in the background. Works out pretty well. Tried doing that with the Miss Tropicana swimsuit competition in the background a while ago...that one didn't work out so well. Couldn't quite concentrate on the music as I was constantly distracted.
_________________
Brad Hersch
Bugler-Assistant State Director, PA
Bugles Across America