Seeing some brown color on my Ambassador Valve number 3

[musicmork]

I wonder what it is but my number 3 valve on my Ambassador is showing so much wear that there is some brown showing through...I wonder what it is...seems to be sub-surface.
meanwhile the valve was getting stick so I oiled the s--- out of it. Needs something.
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MARK /aka "musicmork"/ aka " The Creator "
TRUMPET: Getzen , Olds
MOUTHPIECES Bach 3-C, Schilke 13a4a
CORNET: Holton Galaxy (Awesome horn)
KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil PC88MX,Yamaha S-30, Casio Privia 575R

[djm6701]

The valves on the Olds horns are made of brass with a layer of nickel plating (same thing as the Getzen valves I believe). This used to be standard on all valves until Monel came along, and now most manufacturer's valves are solid Monel. I think the nickel is typically 5/1000th of an inch thick.

Anyway, what has happened is that the plating has worn through right to the brass. You could replace the valve with a new one (or a new old one) off ebay or have the valve replated and refitted to the casing, which will bring it back to factory-new.

Personally, I find I like the 'feel' of nickel-plated valves over Monel, although I couldn't tell you why it should make a difference.

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Dave M.
Richmond Hill (Toronto) Ontario
1956 Olds Recording, 1959 Olds Studio, 1952 Olds Super, 1960 Olds Mendez, 1968 Olds Ambassador, 1975 L.A. Benge 3x, 1986 Bach Strad 37, Yamaha Mike Vax,Yamaha 631 Flugel

GR 65.6 Mouthpiece

[ This Message was edited by: djm6701 on 2004-05-09 10:05 ]

[Mouse]

Has anyone devised to test to determine when valve wear it too much that it affects the performance of the trumpet?
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There are always new mountains to climb!

YTR8335RGS
YTR6345
1956 Olds Super Trumpet