TopGun

Is there any way to increase the compression on a horn other than thicker lubrication?

I was recently wasting some time at intermission and tried to check the compression on my Bach C. I pulled the slides out one at a time and put my finger over the open end of the slide and sucked on the m-piece. I noticed that there seemed to be a marked decrease in the 1st valve slide area. I later pulled out the Bb and it seemed to have much better compression (also a Bach).

Thanks

Robert Rowe

Not that I am aware of, other than a valve re-build (which entails replating the pistons). Usually, the player has been unknowingly compensating for a slight loss of compression. With a larger-cup mpc (i.e. Bach 1), try blowing in the extreme low register -- if you can get a nice, fat F#, the "low compression" situation is tolerable, and not worth the expense and bother of a valve re-build.

My view on this, anyhow.

Robert Rowe

dizforprez

They also can put in oversized pistons if the casing it self is worn.