RichN

The valves in question have had some hard use, and no longer have full compression, and in a couple of areas the nickel plate on the piston has worn through to the brass. Basically they've had it. I think what they need is the valve case cylinders honing true, pistons honing true, nickel plate and then honed back to fit the valve case. A full recondition in other words.

I know I can get this done in the US, but I'd prefer not to have to send an otherwise decent trumpet acros the Atlantic twice. My normal answer to any repair in the UK would be First Class Brass / Eclipse, but this is about the only thing they don't seem to be able to do . So is there anywhere else in the UK that can do a good job of this for a reasonable price?

Rich.

RichN

It's been pointed out to me that my initial post could be misinterpreted.....

A point of clarification needed here I think, just to be fair to First Class Brass / Eclipse. I've been to the factory, met Leigh and John, seen their work. I've been around the brass world for a long time now, and their abilities and workmanship are absolutely top class, the best I've ever come across. They're bloody nice blokes too.

My comments about 'FCB don't do this' probably aren't entirely fair because it was based on a telephone conversation with them, they haven't even seen the trumpet. What I was told was 'we can't completely rebuild, replate and rehone valve sets because we haven't got the equipment at the moment'.

I was trying to find out if there was a valve specialist in the UK, a sort of equivilent to 'Doctor Valve' in the US, but given the lack of response, probably not!

Rich.

MUSICandCHARACTER

Surely someone in Europe does this kind of work. Wouldn't Leigh know of a few shops that do? Or is Europe too populated with rotary valves?

Jim

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RichN

Dr. Jim,

I assume that last comment was with sarcasm switched on? Anyway, it's well known that the UK is the bridge between Europe and America. We do piston valves and rotary valves. We've dead cosmopolitan like that.

Besides, wouldn't both types of valves need the same kind of equipment? Surely one's just a short, fat version of the other?

I'm starting to wish I hadn't posted this now. You're right, if there is anyone, Leigh will know them. I've got to see Leigh soon anyway to get some (body else's) sloppy repair work on my Bach fixed properly.

Rich.

trumpetmike

You might want to contact Will Spencer (www.willspencer.org) - he is an awesome repair guy and is just starting to do all sorts of clever stuff with valves.