[TPIN] to buy or not to buy

[Allegro69]

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:16:26 EST
From: JFDonaldsn at aol.com
Subject: Re: [TPIN] to buy or not to buy
To: tpin at tpin.okcu.edu
Message-ID: <c7d.2dd0a00.328a107a at aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"


Actually, I think that first valve saddles are a relatively new development
given the history of piston valved brasses. If I recall correctly, a first
valve saddle wasn't standard on Bach Strads until the early 60s. Lots
(most?) of
the desirable Mt Vernon Bachs don't have them. It was an extra cost option
until then. Lots of those great Olds trumpets didn't have a first valve
slide at
all, like my early 1960s Recording. I am sure there are other older pro
models
that don't have them.

Lots of people still play those horns without any noticeable problems.
Ambassadors never had them and aren't easily modified to retro-fit them. Up
until
the last few years, no student horns did.

I've lately been looking at vintage cornets, and very few do.

It can be a useful tool, it isn't essential.

    Jim Donaldson
    Trumpet Gearhead

-------------
I've had Conns, Olds, and a Getzen Eterna, all in the 50's and mid 60s. None
had a saddle. Since I have fairly large thumbs, the saddles become a thumb
catcher and can throw me off where I can easily jar the trumpet out of
position. Much worse is the Yamaha Shew where the saddle is very, very
tight. I know that a repairman could readjust the size and that saddles can
be retrofitted on slides without them. Since I really try to avoid the use
of them, would a repairman be normally willing to remove them as part of a
alteration / repair practice?
BOB