Bach Stradivarius Trumpet Valves #1: Band Instrument Repair Detective Series

[@andyking894]

If you're curious, the reason why valves work better with the "rougher" finish on them is due to its ability to hold oil to its surface more effectively. This is because, at a microscopic level, there are many little pits, troughs, and other features that the oil can cling to, and stay put for the next stroke, versus a more perfect surface which allows the lubricants to get wiped away with each stroke. The process is a combination of viscosity and hydrodynamic friction, and is common in almost any reciprocating piston setup, be it a musical instrument, or a car engine.

[@bf1255]

Thank you for sharing that, interesting

[@dartme18]

I thought the exact same thing, but ... he would know that.🤷‍♂

[@Quadstriker]

You can really see the amount of care put in to taking care of the instruments in your videos.

[@rosedenunzio7083]

Great advice for after nothing else worked! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

[@MichaelBasedow]

I want to thank you so much for this educational video. In my situation, I purchased a brand new Bach Tr501 trumpet from Germany. It came and the second valve was very slow in recovery after the trumpet was warmed up. During the close inspection, I noticed nothing that would indicate an issue or a bent item. After the application of the Lapping compound (800 Gr) it work out the sticking issue. You are my hero to make this trumpet work and sound great.

[@aragon1253]

Oh man the section on valve lapping was the best! I bought some L58 from Ferree's and went to town. Awesome results. Thanks!

[@Studio42dotCom-Real]

I really enjoy watching the effort, care and skill that goes into these repairs. I can relate since I also own and play a Bach Strad. However, one thing I've learned is "do NOT watch your own instrument being worked on". You gotta go away and let the repair experts just do their thing. This video had some of that ASMR qualities that I would NOT want to be around if mine was being repaired. Very much looking forward to the rest in this short series

[@johns8364]

I took my trombone in for repair. They took it in the back and fixed the slide in a few minutes while I waited, but listening to that is like hearing a dentist drill.

[@roflchopter11]

Nice video. I'd recommend you use manual white balance and lock the exposure to make the cuts less jarring.

[@teammosin9999]

Super job. Thank you.

[@javierquesada798]

tremendous work master as always fantastic. master can be cleaned with something liquid before mounting it?

[@stevehollahan3533]

Replace valves? Seems stupid unless they are very loose. Also, Bach oversize valves to .006 oversize.

[@sammy2840]

I’ve only put my 1st valve in the first valve hole. I also have never spun my valves because they have a wear pattern? I was taught this in 1969 by a member of The New York Brass Quintet. Alan Dean.

[@esotericist]

Takumi (匠) is a Japanese word meaning "artisan" You are a real TAKUMI!

[@javierquesada798]

teacher has some video that talks about a screw that went into the saxophone that adjusts the neck of the saxophone and it's broken and it stayed inside thanks and take care of yourself

[@MichaelBxl]

Hi, thanks for the videos ! When doing these stuff, putting new pistons for exemple, do you care about valve alignment ? Do generally repair guys care about it or is it a specific thing some shop does ? If you do, I would be glad to have your take on it, on a video maybe :D Take care !

[@TheBrassandWoodwindShop]

Alignment is very important for a brass instrument to play well. This trumpet was in alignment, so I did not need to do anything. I will try to publish a video on aligning piston valves in the near future.

[@MichaelBxl]

@@TheBrassandWoodwindShop Thank you

[@frankrizzi3629]

As an ex-professional trumpet player my personal opinion on something precise like valves would be to send the instrument to the factory for a complete overhaul. This is a valuable instrument worth at least a couple of thousand dollars reconditioned. Valves have to be lightning fast but also with the correct tolerance. Nice try but I wouldn't want the repairs done any other way if it were my instrument 😁

[@RTK225]

Excellent video, Thanks!

[@paulgrimm6850]

I just bought a Bach 50 th Anniversary Stradivarius medium bore with the 190 valves . Would a rounded lead pipe tuning slide make it easier to play or improve the sound?

[@MarkGeelen78]

Been looking for those soft jaw pliers but cannot find them. Do you mind me asking where I can find them?

[@TheBrassandWoodwindShop]

I got them from Allied Supply, but they do not sell to the public. You can try a plumbing store. They may have one.

[@lotsabirds]

I'm surprised that the first repair shop used the wrong terminology and that they didn't fit the valves to the casings....that's basic stuff. They had to know the valves were still tight. They might also have left the pistons in when yanking out stuck tuning slides....that could screw things up too.

[@1090yoyo]

I would actually leave the pistons in the casings to pull out stuck slides, since the valves are way more resistant than casings and avoid these to be deformed. For the moment, I've broken solder joints while trying to pull slides, but never deformed a piston or a casing (and now I'll shift to the "unsolder the crook and solder a rod as a twisting handle" method before breaking anything)

[@davidgagnon2849]

The person running that repair shop that did the previous work must always wear a mask; not for Covid, but to keep from being identified in a lineup later on. What a crook!

[@emmanuelukojoseph4479]

Nice

[@Stevielinguine]

I need help with my old trumpet from high school

[@notaword7984]

Cool video. I also do repairs, only cars and post a video about it

[@SaxforSale]

Artist!!

[@paulgrimm6850]

I bought a new 50th anniversary Bach. The first valve has a black mark around a port Like the smooth metal is buffed off. I’m disappointed in Bach’s quality control

[@buggemon3607]

What year was it built? I used to work at Bach and built trumpet pistons. Maybe, I can shed some light on your quality concerns?

[@paulgrimm6850]

@@buggemon3607 I sold it

[@paulgrimm6850]

@@buggemon3607 I now own a 180 NY #7 bell. I love it. So much easier to play

[@buggemon3607]

@@paulgrimm6850 Id still like to know what year it was built?

[@paulgrimm6850]

@@buggemon3607 2015 I think

[@WreckDiver99]

My poor late 70's early 80's Bach really needs an overhaul....YEARS of abuse on this poor thing. Needs dents removed, plating re-done, probably an overall acid cleaning...poor thing is a MESS. LOL. Haven't found a place that is willing to touch it. I actually had one place say "buy a new one if you want it to look all pretty again". :(

[@buggemon3607]

Too bad you let it go those years were the best. As far as I'm concerned your horn is worth more than the junk they build today. Does it still play?

[@WreckDiver99]

@buggemon I still have it. I'd like to have it overhauled. The cost though... I'm sure it needs a valve job, needs some re-plating on the tuning slide, some minor dings addressed and a major cleaning. It still plays well. For sure these are so much better than the "same" horn you get today...