Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/24/2007

Question
Our daughter has a King Artist Model top valve silver baritone.  The valve return springs are under the valve piston.  The piston skirt (I don't know what you call it, but it is the part under the orifice in the bottom of the valve that guides the spring) on the #3 valve is flat on one side and has some cracks in it.  Can part of this skirt be removed, or is it vital to the performance of the instrument?  The cracked part is about 1/4" square, and it is preventing the valve from operating.  Where would one find a replacement valve for this instrument?  It is approximately 85 - 90 years old.  When the third valve is depressed, the instrument does not sound right.  Is this a related problem?   If I understand the function of the valves properly, any part of the piston under the horizontal holes only serves to keep the piston centered within the valve housing.  Thank you for your time in this matter.

Answer
Steve,

It is hard for me to get a clear picture in my mind of the damage the horn has experienced. But, if I am understanding correctly that the bottom of the piston has cracked and gotten   bent.  It is possible that the cracks could be soldered shut, and maybe reinforced along the inside curve.    You don't want to be cutting things off of it.

If it doesn't sound right,  - are you sure the valves are in the correct casing?  Or that that piston that is in it belongs in that horn?  If it is the correct valve for the casing and it doesn't sound right, then either it is seriously out of alignment, or it leaks.  

You are not likely to find a replacement piston for it, so your options are to get it repaired, or have a craftsman make a custom one.  Then you will need to decide whether the cost of fixing it exceeds the value of the instrument.