TSmith013

What are the cons of having an Amado waterkey rather than a traditional one?

Considering that polishing around the regular waterkey on my current trumpet is kind of annoying and that when pressed fully, the top of the lever will wear through the finish with time, I'm thinking maybe I should have one put an Amado on my new trumpet.

I'm hoping someone here has experience with these. I've heard that they get "spitty" more quickly than regular waterkeys and that they must have valve oil put in them every so often to keep them smooth. Is this true? What do you guys think?

derekkress

I like them. More aerodynamic! Makes me play faster thru the bridge in Cherokee!


A little valve oil is necessary, but no big deal!

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bigtiny

I hate 'em! =

I really do. They sometimes stick. Sometimes the little spring thing comes out and the whole thing flies apart. It's much easier to tie or rubber band down a traditional water key that's not working (until you can get it repaired) than to mess with these things. At least, that's my opinion.....=

Newguy

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Bernie
1959 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet
1960 Holton Super Collegiate Cornet
2008 Barrington Trumpet

bagmangood

They're both good and bad
as bigtiny and newguy have mentioned, they sometimes have mechanical issues
However, if my memory is correct, they actually disturb airflow a little less when it goes through the horn, improving intonation a very slight amount.
I don't really know, but i like the feel of a amado key a little better (when using it) and it also does remove the polishing annoyance

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Brekelefuw

Amado keys require a bit of maintenance. Oil them every so often and they won't stick any more. It is just a little piston with a gap to let water out.
They fit right on to the tube, while classic water keys have to have a nipple for the cork/pad to sit on. It is said that the lack of the nipple allows air to flow a bit better because there is a much smaller gap where the hole is.
Another benefit is that the piston allows you to continue playing while you empty your valve (if it is necessary.) Your sound won't change as much as the classic water key because the classic water key opens a larger hole.

On my schilke I have traditional water keys and to prevent the lever from marring the leadpipe I just took a circular punch and some instrument felt (or pressed hat felt if you can get that easier) and glued a little circle to the underside of the lever. Voila, no leadpipe scratches.

Solar Bell

-cw-

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Trumpet Dad

They do accumulate dirt on the inside, so you need to take them apart and clean them every six months or so. Its a little challenging to get the clip off without proper tools. I use two jeweler screw drivers to compress the clip. A couple of safety pins will work as well.

Newguy

I keep mine oiled and I have taken the one apart 3 times in the last month and a half to see if I can see why it hangs up at times and have reached the conclusion that the reason it does is just because it "wants to".

Every time I take off those little clips, there is a whole lotta cussin' goin' on 'round here!!!

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Bernie
1959 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet
1960 Holton Super Collegiate Cornet
2008 Barrington Trumpet

gchun

I like them. I don't go out of my way to convert to amados. My Brass Spa's Vraptor amados have a screw-on plastic cap rather that the retaining "c" clip or the slotted metal cap like those on Jupiters. I'm not sure if they are actually "Amados" or "Amado-style" waterkeys. They may be Stomvi's version of the amado. Whatever they are, they work very smoothly and I have never oiled them.

I don't like the amados used on Jupiters. Too noisy and gritty. The feel poorly machined/lapped.

Garry