gglassmeyer

On various models of trumpets, I've seen the 2nd valve slide angled outward away from the player as on the Chicago Benge, Kanstul Chicago, King Liberty etc... Does anyone know what the reason may be for angling one way vs. the other. I know on a lot of "C" trumpets that the slides are perpendicular to the valve cluster. Is this just a matter of style, comfort (as in ease of grip) or is there some efficiency gain in angling the slide forward vs. backward.

Sorry for the strange question, I've just always wondered..

ewetho

Mine does not seem to make any difference at all. Style more than anything I'd guess.

camelbrass

I think you'll find that the original Besson Bb trumpets that everyone started copying in the 1920s had the forward facing 2nd valve slide (why I don't know...a legacy of cornets?). Vincent Bach started to make his version of the Besson with rearwards facing slides so that water wouldn't accumulate in the slide when the trumpet was placed bell down.

C trumpet slides are shorter and can sit perpendicular without extending past the width of the lead pipe too far and, consequently, be vulnerable.

Lot's of the other Besson 'improvers' like Benge etc left the slide arrangement as was.

Maybe somebody like Tom Turner can fill in the detail, or maybe even correct some of my mistaken notions.


Regards,


Trevor

rowuk

The angle is insignificant as far as performance goes. C trumpets are made straight because it allows the slide to be a little longer, aiding in keeping it from leaking.

brassmojo

Camelbrass is correct. A million years ago Besson created the modern Trumpet, designed with the second valve slide facing the bell. Why? Who cares. Besson was French, and we all know the French are weird. For example: the French car "Citroen."

Everyone followed. Bach wanted to look different so voila...the second valve slide is now facing the mouthpiece.

3 cents

veery715

Just from an ergonomic point of view, it is easier (more power and leverage) to pull the forward facing slide as your hands are working in opposition when doing so. However, a tight slide, when it releases, results in your hands moving apart somewhat uncontrollably, whereas when pulling the rear facing slide your right hand stops when it hits your belly or chest while the left may fling the bell sharply to your left. This seems to me to be a more under control operation than pulling your hands apart. So much for that.

If the slide is attached to the valve body in a forward facing direction there is less obstruction for the brazing process because there is only a single tube exiting the third valve as opposed to the two exiting the first valve. Depending on the order of assembly one direction or the other might facilitate the construction process.

brassmojo

Regarding the second valve---Huh?

I have a headache now.

My non "Canadian" 3 cents

confuoco