bigmack

Hi Steve

Way back in 1958 I bought a used Lafayette. I was in highschool at the
time and had about 3 years of playing experience. At that time the horn
was about one year old and in good condition. It was quite a step up
from the rental horn that I had been playing.

This Lafayette had the following unique features:

A) The main tuning slide incorporated a threaded rod. With the slide
in the closed position the horn was in B-flat. By extending the slide
to a preset position and extending the valve slides you could change
to A.

B) The third valve slide exited the valve body on the right side not on
the left as most trumpets do.

C) The valves were of the "bottom sprung" design. The springs were
located beneath the valve pistons and rested upon the bottom caps


I played this horn for about 20 years. The laquer lifted when it was
about 10 years old & I sent it out to be refinished. The valves began
to stick due to weak valve springs. I replaced the springs with springs that
were progressively wound and everything was great.

It was a small bore instrument, 0.453 I beleive. If you were playing
lead, you had to work to be heard.

In 1988 I sold it to a friend whose son was in his second year of band.
Hope this info will be of some use to you.

Best regards,

bigmack