pangaea

Post some pics when you get it next week!

Here's mine, w/ Pilczuk, rounded slide, fixed slide rings, and Amados.




and one before:



Kanstul does amazing work.

buzzer

Great pics for sure! Mine looked equally as rough or worse - will try to post pics later on - do not have capability yet to to that, but a friend does. Did not go with Amados as wanted to keep as original as possible, so went with regular re-laquer not scratched or brushed also. Wanted to try heavy valve caps but the Kanstul caps do not fit. So will check around elsewhere for that. Not sure how much diff it will make but most seem to think heavy cap on the third valve is significant in some cases. Should have the horn this coming Mon or Tues at latest.

AL

pangaea

hey buzzer--

I was after playing characteristics and gave up on keeping it as authentic as possible. I'll lose out on resale value but don't care, as I'm keeping it to play.

Curry's #8 heavy caps fit the Ambassador. I have a set--just didn't have 'em on in the pics. I actually like them (whereas I DON'T like 'em on my main horn, a Schilke B1Lb). I tried a number of variations on which valve, how many, etc.--and settled for all three. They seem to work very well with the already relatively heavy and "dark" horn...giving it a very focused core and tight slotting.

buzzer

Thanks for the info on the Curry caps. Will eventually give that a try also. But waiting for UPS now - hopefully today maybe tomorrow. One never knows --- Will check out the tone, etc. May try the caps on my '64 Mendez as well for the heck of it. Glad you like your horn with the diff. finish and the other mods made. How it sounds/plays is the important thing anyway.

Al

buzzer

Received the '52 Amb. trumpet from Kanstul today. Boy what a difference in appearance! Beautiful job - the Bach 43 LP and the rounded tuning slide look like they were there from day one. Have not had chance to play it yet - that will come tomorrow afternoon. Will give report. Going to order the Curry #8 caps soon also. Now - does anyone have lying around the third valve pinkie ring/slider? Realized that there was never one with the horn when I got it. Then - the horn will be complete!

pangaea

Good news. I'll be watching for your report. Do some back-to-backs w/ the two tuning slides--you'll be amazed.

There's a guy on Ebay who frequently sells the 3rd valve rings--do a search. I think his Ebay name is "ez4u2bcool" or something like that...

Post some pics!

Heavens2kadonka

....And he never did post picks...

Okay, I am reviving YET ANOTHER dead topic, but my little addition is along this line of subject. I am determined to do my own ambassador mods, and here is my current list of what I want to do...

#20 Blackburn leadpipe
Blackburn Rounded tuning slide (Regular water key)
Curry Heavy Valve Caps
* Sleeve for Leadpipe
Install 1st valve slide ring
Install 3rd Valve slide stop (The new style, without the nut-system..)
Install Saturn Water Key 3rd Valve Slide
Scratch Lacquer

* Who can do that for leadpipes?

I am also thinking of getting a Blackburn bell installed. Has anyone ever considered doing that before? I know the whole "Oh, keep the original..." and all that, but a blackburn bell really sounds NICE... Am also trying to figure up how much this proposed modification will cost..... *shudders*

Van

bigaggietrumpet

Well, for posterity, I must say that I think the Ambassador is great the way it is, but to each his own.

Second, I would do these one at a time, that way, if you make a mod, and it turns out that the horn plays exactly like you want it (yeah, I know, fat chance, but still...), you save money.

As far as cost goes, well, I'm gonna wager about 1500 dollars or so. And a new Blackburn costs how much again?

Heavens2kadonka

A new Blackburn costs 4200 now.

Yeah, I will most likely do the Leadpipe and tuning slide at one time, since those are in the worst condition (Is it just me, or does it seem like almost every ambassador's leadpipe is bent?).

Van

bigaggietrumpet

It's not just you.