HHansontrpt

I'm fed up--I mean really fed up.

I've had a Conn Vintage One for four years. It's my first professional horn, and I've loved it to pieces...everything about it has been great for me. But, recently I have been having a lot of valve issues. I keep it very clean, well oiled, I push the valves down straight....I don't know what more I can do.

The troubling part is I have heard of others having similar difficulties with this horn.

#1. Is it me? Has anyone else had or heard of similar issues with this horn?

#2. I'm starting my trumpet major this fall and need consistent, dependable equipment. What does anyone suggest? I've heard of lapping the valves, but know little about it. Can anyone advise me more on that procedure or any others that might be helpful?

#3. Are the recommended procedures worth the cost? I just bought my C trumpet so money is going to be an issue. Like fixing the transmission on an old car...Should i just ditch the horn and start over with a Bach, or should I try to have this one worked on?

Thanks!

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"Success comes from a willingness to do what others will not."

uatrmpt

Let's start with the oh-so-obvious, but sometimes overlooked, things first. Is it all of your valves or just one? Did your valves ever work right? Have you changed valve oil lately? If not, clean the horn well and try changing valve oil -- sometimes your body chemistry doesn't get along with with a certain brand of oil (for example, I just can't use Blue Juice...makes my valves slow).

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--Matt--

matthoffner

I own a V1, but I play a used Bach now.

The V1 is a great horn, but some quirky things (mainly with the intonation) forced me to go in a different direction. I don't regret buying it over a new Bach.

The problems I had were mainly in the construction - the beginning of the leadpipe bent easily from my case and the tuning slide broke.

I had no problems with my valves - in fact, I really like those valves. It is very difficult/frustrating to play the trumpet with bad valves - I would find a good repairman to take a look at it.

jcstites

Clean the crap out if it. Soak them, possibly even use some dilluted vinegar and a clean toothbrush.

Then try a new oil. See what that does before taking it in. I suggest the new Zaja Blue it solved my problems i had with al cass.

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HHansontrpt

thanks so far...

The valves worked great until my playing time and intensity increased exponentially at Tanglewood this summer and into the audition preparation phase of my senior year...All the added playing has just made them unreliable. No amount of playing should wear valves out in four years, right???

The problem is really just limited to 1st and 3rd valves.

I have never used a different kind of valve oil because I haven't had a problem with it before on this horn or on any others. I can clean and oil and clean and oil....every day, still to no avail. I haven't damaged the horn....I really just don't know what it could be.

I think I am going to have to take big action whether a repair or a purchase...So I guess my questions have been modified to:

#1. What maintenance can be done?
#2. Who can do it?
#3. How long does it take?
#4. How much does it cost?
#5. Is it worth it??? (Or should I ditch the Conn)

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"Success comes from a willingness to do what others will not."

jcstites

Like you, I never had problems with my valves and then one day my c trumpet 1st valve was being a PITA. I would clean it everyday, and by the end of the day it would be sticking again. Finally I decided to switch oils. I cleaned it and tried Zaja Blue and bam! no more problems. I dont know why this worked, but it did. That would be the easiest and cheapest thing to try. I would do that before spending $ on having repair done that might be solved by buying a $5 bottle.

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Lo

If you can, why don't you have a repairman around you look at your valves to see what kind of damage they are in? I did this and found that my valves on my previous horn, Kanstul CCT 900 where completely out of round and that caused the sticking. I then traded in the horn for my new one, Conn Vintage and am loving the valve action and having no problems at all. Still smooth as glass for me. If it helps, I'm using Pro-Oil Hybrid. Good luck.