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Dale Proctor
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Joined: 26 May 2005
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Location: Heart of Dixie
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 Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2024 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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I didn’t see any critique of Allen valves in your link other than the comment that their small diameter allows them to have faster action, which is true. I played this cornet in a Civil War reenactment brass band for around 25 years and noticed no significant stuffiness. On the contrary, it’s one of the better playing cornets from that era that I’ve played, on par with contemporary Boston instruments. Interesting reading, though…thanks!
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etc-etc
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Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 6200
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| Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2024 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Dale Proctor wrote: |
I didn’t see any critique of Allen valves in your link other than the comment that their small diameter allows them to have faster action, which is true. I played this cornet in a Civil War reenactment brass band for around 25 years and noticed no significant stuffiness. On the contrary, it’s one of the better playing cornets from that era that I’ve played, on par with contemporary Boston instruments. Interesting reading, though…thanks! |
Dale,
Indeed the reference above does not say anything about stuffiness of Allen valves - that it is a possibility is entirely my conjecture.
I looked up Allen valves in context of other instruments and found this information from TubeNet, posted in 2004:
| Quote: | Thu May 13, 2004 9:39 pm
Chuck,
In the late 1800's horns were made with Allen valves, which were a rotary version of ovalized valves. I have seen these on Hall & Quinby, and Allen & Hall over the shoulder tubas, as well as a Lehnert centennial model tuba.
On the tubas I have played, they were far more ovalized than on the piston ovalized valve structures. While visually this gives the impression that they would induce resistance and stuffiness to the horns, all three such horns I have played have been exceptionally nice blowing horns.
It gives a very small diameter valve, perhaps a 5/8" diameter rotor for a fairly small bore over the shoulder E-flat tuba.
I'm pretty certain these are the subject of an early U.S. patent. When I locate it, I'll post a scan.
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This confirms your observation that rotary Allen valves, using a "depressed circle" cross-section, can be superior in performance to other models. |
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stuartissimo
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Joined: 17 Dec 2021
Posts: 1005
Location: Europe
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| Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2024 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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| etc-etc wrote: | | the shepherd crook is not contributing much to the sound. Unless, of course, you listen with your eyes |
Sometimes that makes all the difference though. The senses and the mind are strongly connected. There have been studies that indicate people even taste with their eyes. So even if it's purely mental it still contributes to the sound.
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1955 Olds Super cornet
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Dale Proctor
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Joined: 26 May 2005
Posts: 9380
Location: Heart of Dixie
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| Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2024 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the additional info - nice research! The Allen valves on the Lehnert cornet are pretty tiny. I also had occasion to play a Henry Lehnert Eb cornet with the same valves, and it was a very good instrument, too.
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