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brooklyn_brass New Member
Joined: 26 Sep 2015 Posts: 6 Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 5:24 am Post subject: Cork washers and valve springs for a Martin Committee |
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Hello trumpeters,
I'm looking for the cork washers for the valve pistons for an early '50s Martin Committee. Thickness looks like 1/16".
I see these:
https://www.ferreestoolsinc.com/products/cork-washers
So will the A14 size work?
What about valve springs? I think mine are OK but wanted to know about replacements. Someone mentioned Benge springs on an old forum post, but I wasn't how to ID them/where to get them.
Thanks. |
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jeirvine Veteran Member
Joined: 29 Apr 2022 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore, MD USA
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 6:51 am Post subject: |
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I'd like to tack on a similar more generic request for the best source for corks spacers for any trumpet when doing a DIY valve alignment.
Thanks, -John _________________ 1932 King Silvertone Artist Bore
1945 Buescher 400
1946 Olds Super
1947 Olds Super Cornet
1948 Couesnon flugelhorn
1951 Olds Special
1956 Martin Committee
1964 Olds Recording
1968 Bach 329 C
1996 Bach 37 |
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Ronnman Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2019 Posts: 407 Location: SE Louisiana
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:01 am Post subject: |
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First, you need to know “exactly” what the thickness of your existing washers are to find the correct replacement. Alignment of the valves will be affected by the incorrect thickness. Assuming they are in alignment now. Buy a cheap digital caliper and use to measure the existing thickness.
Second, I purchased several springs sets for my ‘54 Martin Committee, including the Benge Springs. The set I like best, I purchased from Josh Landress Brass. Just email him at josh@jlandressbrass.com
The springs measure:
Length 1.300”
Diameter 0.340”
Wire size 0.024”
Ron _________________ Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014 |
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brooklyn_brass New Member
Joined: 26 Sep 2015 Posts: 6 Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:11 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, Ronnman. I called JLandress last week, they said "bring it in," washers/felts will cost around $25. I know it's worth their expertise. And I'm a subway ride away. |
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Ronnman Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2019 Posts: 407 Location: SE Louisiana
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:26 am Post subject: |
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brooklyn_brass - If you are that close, I would definitely bring it in. I would have them do a valve alignment and get the documentation for the washer thicknesses to buy in the future if/when needed.
Ron _________________ Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014 |
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Ronnman Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2019 Posts: 407 Location: SE Louisiana
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:31 am Post subject: |
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jeirvine - As brooklyn_brass mentioned, Ferrees Tools are a great source for parts and tools.
https://www.ferreestoolsinc.com/search?q=Cork+washers
Ron _________________ Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014 |
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Andy Cooper Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001 Posts: 1825 Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 9:21 am Post subject: |
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This is no longer an issue for the OP but
https://www.jlsmithco.com/product-category/for-brass/parts-for-brass/valve-washers/
Since shipping is about $10, it's not really worth ordering 3 washers. I tinker with different horns so I can usually put together a $20 order of assorted stuff that makes the shipping worthwhile.
Measure your springs - both the length and width. Too wide a spring and you get a lot of spring noise. Too short and you get vibration and spring noise.
There is a store on e-bay that gives the spring measurements. $10 or $11 including shipping. |
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yourbrass Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 3630 Location: Pacifica, CA, USA
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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I'll chime in regarding valve springs for a Committee, or any short spring barrel valve. Holton has a spring that Dan Oberloh told me is stainless. I think the Allied part no. is A374. You'll have to get it from a music store or repair person, as they don't sell direct to the public.
I've been using it to great success with Martins, Selmer Paris, Benge etc. It's also good in a Bach or a Yamaha if you want a lighter touch. _________________ "Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/ |
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A.N.A.Mendez Heavyweight Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 5227 Location: ca.
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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If you don't have the tools and knowledge to do a proper valve alignment take it to a good tech. You cannot just buy odd felts and corks and hope for the best. _________________ "There is no necessity for deadly strife" A. Lincoln 1860
☛ "No matter how cynical you get, it's never enough to keep up" Lily Tomlin☚ |
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brooklyn_brass New Member
Joined: 26 Sep 2015 Posts: 6 Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:37 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the suggestions. I took it to JLandress and got some new felts and corks. Plays well now. Will think about valve alignment in the future. |
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Divitt Trumpets Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Aug 2015 Posts: 520 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:29 am Post subject: |
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brooklyn_brass wrote: | Thanks for the suggestions. I took it to JLandress and got some new felts and corks. Plays well now. Will think about valve alignment in the future. |
If Josh or his employees installed the corks and felts, they would have ensured correct alignment when they did the work. _________________ www.divitt-trumpets.com
www.facebook.com/divitt.trumpets
www.instagram.com/divitttrumpets |
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jeirvine Veteran Member
Joined: 29 Apr 2022 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore, MD USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2022 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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A.N.A.Mendez wrote: | If you don't have the tools and knowledge to do a proper valve alignment take it to a good tech. You cannot just buy odd felts and corks and hope for the best. |
I just did it on a few of my horns. It was actually quite straightforward, thanks to the very helpful guide posted by Brad Goode here:
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/posting.php?mode=quote&p=961157
I found a cheap 12mm mirror: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7E3QR8
I taped a mini LED flashlight to the mirror which made things very easy to see.
Between the pads and corks I already had, and some DIY washers, I determined the exact thickness needed which are available from Ferrees.
Previous owners had removed the corks completely from my Buescher 400, and put far too thick cap felts on my Committee. Both are perfectly vertically aligned now. Happily, my '96 Strad is still spot on. _________________ 1932 King Silvertone Artist Bore
1945 Buescher 400
1946 Olds Super
1947 Olds Super Cornet
1948 Couesnon flugelhorn
1951 Olds Special
1956 Martin Committee
1964 Olds Recording
1968 Bach 329 C
1996 Bach 37 |
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Halflip Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 1906 Location: WI
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2022 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Regarding valve springs, and in particular valve springs for a Committee, this thread has some interesting information:
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=148205&highlight=steve+winans+magic+springs _________________ "He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)
"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run" |
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