rowuk

ttm,
If your repairman is good and will guarantee the work, the spot plate will make the horn look a lot nicer. It won't change the sound or playing though. The suggestion of a leather valve guard is inexpensive. I only had my horns touched up or replated when they were due for an overhaul (when I played Bach, that was about 6 years of heavy playing).

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.