Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/26/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
I need valves for a holten (has his signature and chicago on the bell. It's a cornet, about 50 yrs old, in excellent shape otherwise. The second valves reads 00 1/4 with serial #35574 (if i'm off on that number i'll correct it if I hear from you.


Answer -
If that serial number is correct, it is closer to 100 years old than 50.  If the number is really 35x,xxx then it could be from the early 60's otherwise, it is from about 1916.  

Depending on the model, you would have 2 or 3 options.  Some models may still have valves in stock, you could find a similar instrument and swap the valves out of it, or you could have pistons made from scratch.  Even after you get replacements, you would need to have them custom fit to your instrument.  

None of these options are cheap, and may exceed the value of the instrument.  

Thanks, it's from the 60s. How can I go about finding some existing stock for this horn?

         Yours, girard

Answer
The replacement parts are only available to repair technicians, so you would have to take the horn to a repair service.  

They would then have match up the model of your horn and get the piston.  Then they will need to lap the valve into the casing to get a good fit, and install a valve guide.  Then it would need to be aligned and corked and padded. And, you should be ready to go. (Unless, of course there is something wrong with that valve casing. In which case, there may be some other straightening necessary.)