TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - How to know if valve alignment is needed ?

acebone · 06-26-2007, 10:46 AM

I own and play a silver coated Bach Strad 180ML with a 37 bell. According to the serial no. this trumpet is from 1981/82.

It is a LOVELY horn - Other trumpet players (even rather accomplished ones) has commented that it has a beautiful sound (that's funny when you think of it - it is not ME who has a good sound - it's the horn).

HOWEVER - it is very difficult to play the horn with good intonation. All of the natural 'off-pitch' tendencies seems to be somewhat exaggerated. Eg. the E on the lowest staff line (valves: 12) is rather high. The A a fourth over (also 12) is slightly high. The G on top of the staff is high, and so is the A above that. NOTE: When I say sligthly high, I mean compared to other horns I've tried.

I realise that there could be a plethora of reasons for this - I usually play a Getzen 5C mouthpiece, but recently acquired a Bach 3C. The 3C seems to eliminate some of the problems, however I don't like the feel of the 3C and my teacher is not too keen on me changing MPC right now.

Does this sound like my horn is candidate for a Valve Alignment ?

Is there any way for me to test if it should be aligned ?

I live in Denmark (Scandinavia), Europe. The idea of shipping my horn to the States is not a very attractive one. Does anybody know where in Europe you can get your valves aligned?

Thnx in advance for forthcoming answers!

06-26-2007, 10:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
acebone New Friend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denamark Posts: 19	How to know if valve alignment is needed ? I own and play a silver coated Bach Strad 180ML with a 37 bell. According to the serial no. this trumpet is from 1981/82. It is a LOVELY horn - Other trumpet players (even rather accomplished ones) has commented that it has a beautiful sound (that's funny when you think of it - it is not ME who has a good sound - it's the horn). HOWEVER - it is very difficult to play the horn with good intonation. All of the natural 'off-pitch' tendencies seems to be somewhat exaggerated. Eg. the E on the lowest staff line (valves: 12) is rather high. The A a fourth over (also 12) is slightly high. The G on top of the staff is high, and so is the A above that. NOTE: When I say sligthly high, I mean compared to other horns I've tried. I realise that there could be a plethora of reasons for this - I usually play a Getzen 5C mouthpiece, but recently acquired a Bach 3C. The 3C seems to eliminate some of the problems, however I don't like the feel of the 3C and my teacher is not too keen on me changing MPC right now. Does this sound like my horn is candidate for a Valve Alignment ? Is there any way for me to test if it should be aligned ? I live in Denmark (Scandinavia), Europe. The idea of shipping my horn to the States is not a very attractive one. Does anybody know where in Europe you can get your valves aligned? Thnx in advance for forthcoming answers!