Replace valve guides on an Olds Recording?

gjdoyle · New Member Joined: 03 Mar 2016 Posts: 7

I've got an Olds Recording trumpet with the nylon top part of the valves -- is it possible to replace the valve guides? Noticed mine were getting pretty worn, but I couldn't find a way to remove them and I didn't want to break anything.

benlewis · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2023 5:00 pm Post subject:

This might be a bit off-topic as it's not a direct replacement; but I had a set of these installed on an L.A.-era Super and the valve action is super-smooth and super-quiet:

https://bajocmusic.com/bajoc-ergonomic-valve-guides-evgs/

HTH

Ben

gjdoyle · New Member Joined: 03 Mar 2016 Posts: 7

Thanks for that. Hadn't seen those before. If possible, I'm probably just looking to replace with similar guides if I can get them.

Does anyone know if these nylon valves unscrew from the plated bottoms? Not sure how much discussion there's already been here about Olds' use of plastic and replacement parts, looked through the archives and couldn't find anything relevant.

Andy Cooper · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:22 pm Post subject:

Just go to eBay and search for

olds recording trumpet valve guides

Looks like you will need to get the entire "tune up" kit for about $30.

The guide is in two parts - you need to pop the top part out to replace - perhaps this will help.

https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1012465

huntman10 · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2023 10:38 pm Post subject:

The OP's issue is that his horn is one of the late production models which has the entire spring barrel made of a machinable polycarbonate, which, if memory serves, was called Ryton. I actually supervised large scale coal fueled power plant emission control systems which had very large Ryton machined valve seals in the 80's.it was tough stuff and why I remembered that little nugget.

I am not at all certain that the valve guides for this were the same as the nylon guides used for a short time for the pistons with brass spring barrels.
_________________
huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

Ronnman · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 3:59 am Post subject:

The OP is referring to the later Olds trumpet upper valve section made with what Olds called Valox.

Centex Brass stated, in a for sale posting, that a guide was replaced. This can be seen in the pic below. I am not familiar with how they accomplished this task.

You may want to email Clay Collins at Centex Brass: mailto:centexbrass@gmail.com

Ron

_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

Halflip · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 4:07 am Post subject:

Ron, that's one of the most incredibly useful answers I've ever seen on a forum!
_________________
"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"

Ronnman · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 4:45 am Post subject:

Ronnman · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:53 am Post subject:

gjdoyle - keep us posted if you find the answer to replacing the valve guides.
Ron
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

yourbrass · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:04 am Post subject:

Interesting question on the plastic material. When I started my apprenticeship back in the 70's, we knew the white plastic that Olds used as Delrin. That's a Dupont product still being made.

From Dupont's Web site: "Compared to acetal copolymer, Delrin® acetal homopolymer offers higher tensile strength, stiffness, creep and fatigue resistance, and significantly higher impact resistance."
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /Bach 50's backbore
https://yourbrass.com/

gjdoyle · New Member Joined: 03 Mar 2016 Posts: 7

gjdoyle · New Member Joined: 03 Mar 2016 Posts: 7

Update: after removing the valve stem, the top Valox section just pulls off. Turns out it's just that simple.

Ronnman · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:48 pm Post subject:

gjdoyle - Do you mean that the valve stem passes thru the Valox section and threads into the lower (metal) valve section? A pic of this disassembled would be great for future reference.
Ron
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

Ronnman · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:30 pm Post subject:

gjdoyle - If you email me a photo, I can post it with a link, if you need me too.
Ron
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

gjdoyle · New Member Joined: 03 Mar 2016 Posts: 7

Trumpet's currently in at the shop, took it in for a service (which is where I learned this), once I have it back I can try to post some pics.

Ronnman · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:41 am Post subject:

Thanks
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

Ronnman · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 6:24 am Post subject: