Heavy weight valve caps

[Trumpetdude0823]

I have gone back and forth trying to decide if i should invest in Heavy weight valve caps for my Bb trumpet. My biggest fear is if they actually work or if they just look "cool" on your trumpet. I am searching for trumpet players who have actually used them and seen or have not seen results?

[TKSop]

You'll feel a difference... You might like it, you might not.

They only "actually work" if you like the change.


I've tried them on certain​ horns where I liked the difference, some I could go either way and a couple I couldn't imagine why anyone would possibly want to even try it.

[zaferis]

depends on you and the trumpet..

On my Bb and C I've used a single heavy bottom cap on the 3rd valve. Adds a little solidity to some of the notes but not so heavy that it dulls out the tone and response.

On my Flugel and Cornet I currently have a heavy bottom cap on valves 1 & 3.

To add to you query, I've also found that I like adding a single "tone ring" to the 3rd valve (bottom) on my Bach Bb - not the weight of a heavy cap but seems to accomplish the same focussing of certain overtones without changing the tone as noticaeably.

http://www.mouthpieceexpress.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=23187
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[Benge.nut]

There's an entire industry of aftermarket gear for trumpets.

Heavy valve caps will add more mass to the trumpet. More weight will change the sound, response and the way the horn projects. That much we can all agree on.

But is it a good thing? That's subjective. Does it make the horn play "better"? Also subjective.

Is it just one more thing to complicate an already difficult instrument to master? YES.

I've seen guys lose their minds fidgeting with gear tying to get some magic equation if the right weight, and which shim to put in their bottom cap, and which valve needs more weight than the other, and "ohhh their are three different weight heavy valve caps...better buy them all and get the best combination"

They keep putzing around with gear and lose sight of practicing music and becoming a better trumpet player. I went through my share of mouthpiece safaris, and gear buys and such. But the best thing I EVER did was give away all that gear and only keep a few variations of my mouthpiece. Just so I'm not tempted to go back and go insane looking for some perfect combination of gear.

[mm55]

[Richard III]

My Adams Flugel came with a heavy cap on the third valve. I never questioned it or felt tempted to change. My York Cornet had heavy valve caps that came as an option. I tried using them and hated it. To me they dull the sound.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[Brad361]

I've gone back and forth with various weights of top and bottom caps and buttons on different horns. The only conclusion I've come to is if the horn was not designed to be used with heavier caps and buttons, their affect was either slight or nothing.

To the OP: a set of bottom caps, maybe for example Mark Curry's, are not terribly expensive and many dealers have a return policy. The only way you'll know for sure if YOU like what they do is try them.

Brad

[Andy Del]

What is not spoken about is 'what re you trying to fix?'

Look cool? forget about it.
Want to fit in with the crowd? forget about it.
Want a broader, warmer sound? forget about it.

Have a trumpet which lacks core and focus? TRY it.

Heavy caps add some centre and core to some instruments. A mate's very unfriendly Bach C, which was for all intents and purposes, useless, benefited from 3 heavy caps to the extent he likes the horn again. (There are some places to never take your horn for modifications!)

cheers

Andy
_________________
so many horns, so few good notes...

[Dale Proctor]

The heavy caps I've tried on my various Bach instruments (Bb cornet, Bb trumpet, C trumpet) seemed to add a bit to the lower overtones in the sound, but made the horns feel a little stuffy and harder to play above the staff. Less of the effect with a single cap on the 3rd valve, but still not a desirable change on any of them. I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
_________________
"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

[Andy Cooper]

I usually end up with a dime or washer in the 3rd bottom valve cap.
I sometimes experiment with heavy valve caps on the 1st and 3rd and find it to be fine in a live room by myself - then I end up putting the stock caps back on in concert band using just a dime or washer in the 3rd cap.

Heavy caps seem to make the horn project better yet reduce my feedback and so make it harder to hear myself in the section.


[Oh - for players of old Conn trumpets and cornets - the top valve caps from the 60's horns make dandy medium heavy bottom valve caps.]

[dr_trumpet]

Information: What kind of horn are you playing?

Why I ask: Most of my standard weight Bach trumpets have responded well to heavy Bach caps, spaced with O-rings. Lightweight Bachs have sometimes not responded well to heavier caps, it's been an individual horn situation. Standard weight Bach trumpets have generally responded better with Bach heavier caps, but other makes of even heavier caps have not been as successful for me on my Bach horns. Schilke horns have been hit and miss, and the best caps for me have been the Schilke caps with the internal weight as supplied by Schilke. Those even heavier caps have not worked for Schilke horns at all for me (I have a beautiful set of Ccaps for sale if anyone is interested). For Yamaha trumpets, weighting only the third valve cap has proven best for me. Typically, I use a stainless bolt with the threads tapped out, glued into place. If it pops out, I clean the internal part of the cap and glue again. Weighting all three has made every Bb or C Yamaha trumpet I have ever owned worse, never better. Heavier caps for Yamahas have never worked well for me.

Sometimes, spacing your regular weight caps with O-rings can be of some advantage on some instruments. My Kanstul Piccolo has all four regular weight caps spaced with o-rings, and it has helped the horn be even better. My Schilke E3L works well with the Schilke weighted caps, but my E3L-4 plays best with no weights and no spaced o-rings.

I can go on and on with experiment and experiences, but the best step is likely for you to work with your own instrument and find what works best. Sometimes, instruments are absolutely best when they are played as created by their makers. Other times, all sorts of thinks can be helpful to improve your instrument.

Good luck,

AL
_________________
Dr. Albert L. Lilly, III DM
Artist/Clinician for Vincent Bach Trumpets (Conn-Selmer)
Principal Trumpet, Hendricks Symphony (Avon, IN)
Arranger/Composer; Lilly Music

[Trumpetdude0823]

I play on a Bach Strad. and at times I feel like the horn is brighter than maybe a Yamaha, of Schilke would be.

[razeontherock]

Most "heavy" caps just aren't heavy enough to make a difference. If it will help, it will reduce feedback and increase projection.

I have not found any situation where added mass will achieve a result like making your Bach less bright - but that goes directly against what might be considered conventional thinking here. I attribute this difference to being fooled by the sound in the section, rather than guided by the sound out front.

If you want your Bach to be less bright you need to play it that way, and maybe a different mpc may help; but be sure that's what your Conductor wants!

[dr_trumpet]

[Trumpetdude0823]

I play on a shires 3C, it feels great and i have a good sound without sacrificing range, but recently i have been looking into Parke mouthpieces and how they could possibly benefit me

[LittleRusty]