Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: I've bid on this horn on e-bay for $395 but they say it needs a valve job... (has only 10% compression)... what would have to be done to the valves to fix this & do you think it is worth the fix? Would the valves have to be replaced & would it be hard to find the exact replacements? i was quoted by the owner at $185 a valve but they didn't go into detail...Can you give me some input?  Thanks    Ken

ANSWER: It is hard to make much sense out of this description. If the valves don't work properly, they would likely need to be refitted into their bearings, but the valves shouldn't need to be replaced unless they have sustained some serious damage.  

It is always a risk when you purchase sight unseen, but if you win the horn, try it yourself, determine what is wrong with it and get reputable help in putting it back in playing condition.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I won this horn. They claim the valves leak, could the casings be worn out?  Now I have another question about the valve slides. I was told that on these Vintage horns, the F & Bb slides are in reverse order. The picture in their add shows them like most horns are. I'm attaching an image of one I found that has these slides reversed. Are mine wrong?

Answer
Well, of course many things are possible.  But going from the most probably, I would suspect that this horn is simply not set up correctly, and that people made incorrect conjectures as to what was wrong with it.  

The picture of the horn you sent appear to be in correct order for that model.  If your horn is different, then it is probably wrong.  

I'm guessing that when you get this horn, have thoroughly cleaned it out, properly lubricated it, valves aligned and all the parts in the right places; that it will play nicely.