Olds Special Cornet Comparison

[Gatsby77]

'64 Olds Special Cornet . Need to compare same make, model ,approx year, to determine if valve leakage ( hissing) is noticeable ( normal) in your instrument . Heres how I home tested mine ; 1. Remove slides one at time. 2. Place finger over slide port blow into mpc . Though relative, do you hear any hissing leakage ? Have any of you had a valve job and does it hiss at all then on your Special Cornet ? My 52 Olds Special Trumpet is so pressure tight, it will pop your ears if you blow too hard ! On the Cornet I also tried the test where you pull a slide to max , push back in and listen for a valve depressed pop after 30 sec on #3 and about 15 sec on valve #1 . slight pops noticed . The thicker oil trick didnt really do a thing . I dont have a local shop who can do a leakdown test like Osmun can. It plays well but maybe I'm working harder than I should be . Thanks for the interest .

[Richard III]

I have tons of cornets that play great but fail some of those tests. How does yours play, especially compared to your other one?
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Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[Gatsby77]

Richard Thanks for the reply . Your similar test makes me wonder . I dont have another Cornet to compare mine to . Are your Cornets Pro models ? Vintage with lots of possible valve wear ? . I consider the efficiency important to the ease of playing and who wants to play harder ? So is my leakage normally inherent or through excessive wear? They say if it aint broke dont fix it . Valve 2 has/ had a casing problem repaired though not totally successful . Piston 2 hangs at times if not depressed straight down . Not constantly enough, yet very annoying when it happens. No player even recreation likes that ! To purchase a valve rebuild unless positively necessary, ALONG with excessive leakage from factory standards, (efficiency) to me possibly warrant the rebuild. The cost outlay would far surpass the value / quality of this instrument . Therefore the question of (abnormal ? ) leakage becomes the deciding factor as to the future . Thanks

[pinstriper]

The way you are doing the test could involve leakage at the water key. So find a way to rule that out.

But honestly, you are talking about an old, low value instrument that already had a failed valve repair and a valve that hangs up. Seems to me your time and money would be better spent on finding a different instrument.
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~'77 DEG Dynasty II Soprano Bugle in G
'13 Chinese POS "Hawk" branded Flugel
'59 Olds Ambassador Cornet
'51 Olds Super
'69 Olds Studio
'40 Olds Special Cornet, Military Issued

[Gatsby77]

Thanks pinstriper , The water keys have new corks and are tight . I see you have 2 vintage Olds Cornets , do they, especially the ambassador show any air leaks with my aforementioned tests ? As the hang up is very sporadic and intermittent . The original casing high spot issue was addressed, very low in casing causing a total hang up . Piston now works 100% better providing a straight downward button pressure is applied . At this point I feel this can be totally fixed without the suggested valve job . Sure it could use a valve job . How many could, but are still great playing working instruments . The valve job would surely do the trick . but if the hang up is still due to a casing issue and not a valve rebuild . The cost of that repair may be well worth it . I think a second techs opinion is in order . I notice tou have a Deg 2 G . Drum Corps history ? Regards

[pinstriper]

[Gatsby77]

pinstriper When they were called Holy Name .or when Kammerer was director ? Or won consecutive .American Legion titles ? Or was at Roosevelt stadium playing "When Johnny comes marching home again ? ." Thanks for the reply. We may have seen one another ...depending .
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Melody Maker
Olds Special '52
Conn Constellation
Olds Special Cornet '64
Olds French Horn Bugle G/F

[pinstriper]

[Gatsby77]

Yes Checked the records '80 .was the last . Had the opportunity 4yrs and 3yrs and 6 & 7 earlier . A mecca since the early days ., Regards
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Melody Maker
Olds Special '52
Conn Constellation
Olds Special Cornet '64
Olds French Horn Bugle G/F

[Gatsby77]

Yes Checked the records '80 .was the last . Had the opportunity 4yrs and 3yrs and 6 & 7 earlier . A mecca since the early days ., Regards
_________________
Melody Maker
Olds Special '52
Conn Constellation
Olds Special Cornet '64
Olds French Horn Bugle G/F

[adc]

Leaking valves on cornets don't always negatively affect the horn..unless the low notes (mostly) come out badly.

I understand some performers back in the day intentionally had horns made to the .003" or more diametral clearance.
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Too many Old Cornets to Count

[JonathanM]

[Gatsby77]

Jonathon M , Just read your post . good to hear from you Just today I purchased a Curry TCV . I was using a Bach 7 The difference in tone is incredible. I have the opportunity to go directly to the Mouthpiece Express store . Robert , store owner picked it out for me . It seems to be a winner . the cup difference is like night and day. hope I dont lose too much top end . I still have a very slight bit of an issue with #2 valve sticking and hoping a valve job wont the the only cure . Take care .
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Melody Maker
Olds Special '52
Conn Constellation
Olds Special Cornet '64
Olds French Horn Bugle G/F

[Gatsby77]

Jonathon M, Edit that Curry Cornet MPC last posted. It's a 7 TC , Sorry
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Melody Maker
Olds Special '52
Conn Constellation
Olds Special Cornet '64
Olds French Horn Bugle G/F