[TPIN] BACH 37

[David Arndt]

-----Original Message-----
From: tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu [mailto:tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu] On
Behalf Of Abloncotpin at aol.com
Subject: Re: [TPIN] BACH 37

<<
I would definitely try to get the valves looked at by an expert  before
retiring the horn. ... I have not personally had a valve situation that
wasn't fixable with  good cleaning and finding the right valve juice.  I
have never had to use  anything more complicated than Zaja for any of my
horns.  
>>

Just to underscore this:  My Bach 37 ML, which I've had since 1981, has
*always* had poor valves - always a bit to klunky & slow, intermittent
problems with sticking - I work around it by using frequent oiling and
"heavy" fingers.  When I origionally purchased it, I was doing most of my
playing on C trumpet (with a symphony orchestra) so it didn't bother me too
much that the Bb had slow valves (how fast do you really need to be in the
orchestra with a Bb... nobody calling Donna Lee, right?  <g>). Years later,
it's my primary horn (rock & jazz).  I play it a *lot*, so the valves were
really getting to me...

Recently I sent the horn out to Bob Reeves for a valve alignment and
included a note: "If you can do anything to improve the valve action while
your at it, please do so, and bill me".

When it returned, the valves had a completely different personality - very
light & responsive - a real pleasure.  There was a note saying "we just
cleaned up the valves and replaced the springs".  

Keep the horn.  Get the valves cleaned by a pro, and try some new springs,
before you make a decision to ditch it. 

- Dave