KRtrumpet182

Hi all,

I've been playing on a Bach Strad that I bought from a family friend about 10 years ago. The horn is old (70's) but in relatively great shape. I noticed a week ago that the bar on my tuning slide is slightly loose and decided to take it to the local music shop (a chain) to have it repaired. I also asked them to loosen the 3rd valve "spit" slide and the bottom valve caps. They recommended a chem clean as well, so I said okay.

They called me today and gave me a quote of $97.50. Is this too much to pay for what seems to me like very basic repairs?

Thanks for your advice!

-Kevin

TisEkard

that seems pretty cheap to me, esepcially since u are getting a chem clean

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Drake F. Peterson

Vulgano Brother

Welcome to TM, KRtrumpet182! The third valve stopper you can tighten yourself with the right sized hex key. The slide, if not completely frozen, might succumb to your using the old trick of looping a shoestring through the crook and pulling gently and firmly. This works best with a friend holding the trumpet. Your channel-lock pliers might help with the valve caps, (you might damage them in the process, however!)

Notice the use of "you." I'd take it to the shop. With the frozen parts, a chemical clean is probably in order, and chain or not, the person doing the repair is a person. This could be a great way to start a relationship/friendship, and it is always good to have friends who know how to fix trumpets.

Good luck.

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KRtrumpet182

Thanks for your responses thus far! I have tried the "shoestring pull" and it didn't work, unfortunately. So I'm guessing it's pretty frozen. This is the least used slide on my horn, as I usually empty spit by taking the entire 3rd valve slide off. I guess I should start using it more often.

upoils

To remove the bottom valve caps, you can use pliers, but do make sure to use some thick leather between the pliers and the valve cap. Done carefully this way, you can remove the caps without a scratch. It actually does not need too much of a twist to get started. You can also try twisting them off by hand using a rubber gripper like you might use to loosen tight jar lids.

Removing the very stuck slide should be done in the shop where they probably have a more suitable tool and won't bend anything in the process. I agree that the price seems ok. A chem clean alone can be $50.

-Ken

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stchasking

Chem clean alone was $65.00 for my Strad. I think your price is ok considering you are getting more done.

Have the slide pulled by a professional. Instead of a shoe string try a towel through the crook.

Good Luck.

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lmf

Hi,

Sounds like a good price to me. Once the cleaning and frozen parts and unfrozen, you can keep up the cleaning on your own.

Best wishes!

Lloyd

Paul Gorman

For what it is worth the price you have been given seems pretty reasonable to me although I do not live in the US. However my hobby, for which I trained at college after retiring from my public service career, is brass repairing. For stuck slides a drop of release oil applied overnight can often work wonders. It's also good for stuck valve caps etc. I note the reply suggesting using pliers with pieces of leather. Yes it can work but the down side is that it may not and cause damage to the caps. Reputable repairers have the proper tools. Often we make our own for those special jobs or buy kit from suppliers such as Ferrees Tools. This is where the costs come in - to set my workshop up I spent $20,000 on specialist mandrels, dent balls, rubber faced pliers, tuning slide pliers, micrometers and vernier gauges etc. The professional needs to recoup some of his set up costs and obviously that falls to the customer. Thus the price you have been quoted sounds pretty good to me and far better than trying a DIY project.
regards,
Paul

MFfan

I was recommended to try PB Blaster from Pepboys by OLDLOU. Supposed to separate anything. Many testimonials on their website. Going to let it work overnight on an old junker slides I have to see what happens Comes is spray can like WD 40 and not expensive.

Brekelefuw

Which college did you go to for repair? I am going to Keyano next semester for repair.