| I just returned home from the NY Brass Conference. Earlier today I attended a seminar by Bob Mallone, a leader in instrument repair and design. He brought up the fact that, and I quote,
"Having a waterkey on the third valve slide does have a drastic effect on the response of the horn."
He went on to demonstatre just how big a difference the "minute" things make. He showed that loosening the bottom valve caps makes a noticable difference in sound, and he demonstrated the HUGE difference that replacing the waterkey cork made.
Long story short...the lack of waterkey and stop system does have a noticable effect on the chacteristics of the horn. |