Conn Connstellation 38B Valve Alignment

Tal Katz

A friend gave me an old Connstellation 38B to work on. I polished and cleaned it. I tried to play it before and noticed all the 1st valve notes are way flat, so after taking the horn apart I did notice the valve alignment is way off, or so it seems. I think fixing it might resolve the problem. Since the valves are very different than modern valves I'm asking you 38B owners for some help with getting a more optimal alignment. Could any of you upload some photos of the valves with the felts? I want to see how it's supposed to look like.
I found some info and a photo on the Conn Loyalist. This horn has the "Late Model" valves. I need more help!
http://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/images/Art39-BarrelTopSpringValve.jpg

P.S.
There are no techs around that can do this.
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Tal Katz · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 12:15 am Post subject:

Maybe I should just get this?
http://www.thebandroom.biz/01_item_action.php/items.php?id=517
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razeontherock · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 12:16 am Post subject:

I'm not sure I can get a good enough picture to you to do you any good, but I did have a PVA done by Charlie Melk on a 38A and wow, did it ever help that horn! So I encourage you to take heart in your efforts ...

kehaulani · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 12:35 am Post subject:

Mike Prestage · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 1:02 am Post subject:

The design of the valves doesn't affect the method of correcting the downstroke alignment at all. (The 1st valve downstroke is what you'll need to look at if the particular issue is with notes using the 1st valve.) If you search TH you'll probably find everything you need to know. If you want to improve the upstroke alignment, this may be slightly different if your horn has the 'anti bounce' design with a conical cork bumper instead of a felt, or if you have the conventional design and problems with bouncing. There's a great thread talking about all this here:

http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=870103

Hope this helps.

Mike

Tal Katz · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 1:35 am Post subject:

Thanks guys!

I ordered some parts from the Bandroom in the past and received them in time in the mail. I think there was one time I didn't... and also read some bad comments about them on here. I'll keep playing with the horn. It's not in the greatest shape...
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yourbrass · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:01 am Post subject:

Tal,
To really know where the alignment is, this is my every day tool:
http://www.ferreestools.com/brasswindtools/E17.JPG

You can see downstrokes easily of course, and it's possible to check the second valve upstroke through the bottom third slide with a strong light.

But for upstrokes 1 and 3, you'll need something like this angled mirror, again w/a strong light.

Have fun!
-Lionel
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JonathanM · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 12:14 pm Post subject:

I think rather than the traditional felt pieces valve alignment these days is longer lasting with neoprene (?) pads, isn't that the newer material used?

Lionel, do you have a link where these newer material pads can be ordered? I've been meaning to purchase some.
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Jonathan Milam
Trumpets: 18043B, 18043*, 18043 Sterling Silver +, 18037 SterlingSilver+, Benge 4x, Olds: '34 Symphony, '47 Super, '52 Recording
Flugle: Strad 182
Puje: American Belle
Cornet: Olds Recording & Super

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

Those old Conns used a fairly thick slotted cork with a thin felt under the top caps. The valve and cylinder ports have to line up. The more sophisticated alignments use precision measuring tools (depth gauges, micrometers, and digital calipers) to determine alignment.

C.E.Divine · Veteran Member Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 285

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

http://www.ferreestools.com/cork-felt/cork.html

Look for "A40 slotted tube cork" for Conn "Clickless" valves.

stumac · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:09 pm Post subject:

The springs that came with the Bandroom kit did not fit my 1957 38B.

Regards, Stuart.

yourbrass · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject:

JonathanM · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:34 pm Post subject:

Thank you, Lionel; I do appreciate it. Have a great week!
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Jonathan Milam
Trumpets: 18043B, 18043*, 18043 Sterling Silver +, 18037 SterlingSilver+, Benge 4x, Olds: '34 Symphony, '47 Super, '52 Recording
Flugle: Strad 182
Puje: American Belle
Cornet: Olds Recording & Super

Mike Prestage · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 6:36 am Post subject:

lipshurt · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:31 am Post subject:

yeah lots of incorrect info going here

The bandroom felts are way off in thickness, dont get em

a valentino synthetic cork under th ebutton with no felt in the top cap often works perfectly...but you need to either use a mirror or measure to get it right.

the springs on a 38B have to exactly the right tension or all kinds of weird bouncing or perceived bouncing starts happening.

basically do a standard valve alignment and get it right. use newer materials like neoprene or 0-rings, or synthetic cork
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Dale Proctor · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:58 am Post subject:

lipshurt · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:30 am Post subject:

i like the lighting system! mine is rigged with a little penlight that can focus right on the mirror, but this looks even better
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lipshurt · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:34 am Post subject:

i like the lighting system! mine is rigged with a little penlight that can focus right on the mirror, but this looks even better
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Tal Katz · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 3:04 pm Post subject:

Hey Dale, what is that thing?
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You are what you practice.