AboutKenton Scott Expertise Provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site.
Experience I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net
Expert: Kenton Scott Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: C. G. Conn trumpet
Question I purchased an older Conn trumpet and case at a Garage Sale for $20. Serial #353606. It was heavily tarnished and looks to be silver or nickle plate. I have cleaned it up pretty well. I was able to get all four slides and the valve caps, top & bottom free, but I haven't been able to free up and clean the valves; they are stuck halfway in. Can it be salvaged? Is there some trick I don't know of, or have I bought just a decoration?
Answer It is most likely silverplated and was made in 1942.
The valves most likely can be freed. But they can be tricky. You can easily damage them so if you really want to make sure that they work properly, I should refer to you a competent repair person. Even if you can get them out, they will probably take some servicing to work smoothly again.
If you are going to insist on doing it yourself, spray them with PB Blaster, and then find wooden dowel (because it is softer than the brass in the piston) that fits snugly in the valve casing (i.e. the same approximate diameter as the piston) from the bottom and lightly tap on it. The piston should come loose. If you can't find a dowel the right size, cut one on a lathe. It has to come in contact with the wall of the piston, if it is inside the piston wall, it will almost certainly damage the piston.
I would still recommend that you get a repair person to do the work.
