Jude

I was recently (this morning) given a brand-new trumpet - a 'Harmony' (just by chance the name of a Bach model, it seems) but pretty apparently made in China. On a bad day. The valves seem to be permanently stuck in the up position. I was originally interested in a junk trumpet to provide a valve block for practicing fingering, but this is just the opposite of what you need for that - too nice-looking to cut up, and immovable valves. (If it had been the red model I could have given it to my nephew to carry around and pretend to play.) The cost of an estimate on getting these valves out and replacing them with some old ones that at least move will probably be $50 - any recommendations on how to just yank them out? Then maybe use lapping compound to get them to move? Or just treat it as wall art? TIA for any suggestions. (The case at least is better than the battered one I have for my old Ambassador, so it was worth accepting graciously.) Jude

Vulgano Brother

After trying penetrating oil and all that stuff (including imersing the instrument in water [in the bathtub {after removing the felts}]) you can try the following:

Using a dowel (big, but small enough to fit in the valve casing--chopsticks are too narrow) and a hammer, you can try to gently tap the valve out through the bottom. For lapping, Lava soap seems a favorite for us DYI trumpet mutilators.

Good luck!

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Jude

Thanks!

The felts (quotes don't seem to work - is it Firefox?) seem to be made of plastic - is this a new trend?

And about the Lava soap - how do I use it? Dampen the bar and rub the valve in it, make up a soupy solution and flood the valve and try and working the piston in? Or something obvious to everyone else?

The highest use of the instrument would have been to return it to the importer to make him eat the loss, I think. It's a shame it's so blasted pretty. (Pretty, not beautiful - for beautiful it has to work.)

Jude

Jude

It worked! I got the valves out and cleaned out the grit and oiled everything and now the valves function. (The first spring is noticeably weaker than the others, the valve guides are plastic, you have to be careful not to cut yourself on the threads...).

The sound is tinny, but it speaks easily. Maybe I'll try to give it back.

Thanks for the advice, it feels good to have gotten it working.

Jude

Dale Proctor

You could hang on to it and hope it's recalled for lead content.

Then it would be a real "lead" trumpet, like so many players look for.

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Olde Towne Brass
www.otbrass.com

Brass Band of Huntsville
www.brassbandofhuntsville.org

"Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

Jude

And he has such wonderful taste in cornets...

brassmojo

Make a lamp out of it. Thats about all the Chinese horns are good for.


3C

Toobz

I thought Indian trumpets were used for that !
I've got an Indian sax that's being converted into a lamp right now.
I'll post some pics when it's finished.

tatakata

Im sorry but your best bet is make a lamp out of it.

Dr.Rico

Stick it in a double case, and if someone tries to steal your main horn, fend them off with the Chinese horn, either by handing them the Chinese and hope they take it because it's a cool color, or you could beat them over the head with it....

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Equipment
Strad LT180 .459
Bach 3C