Third valve slide loose

so55 · Veteran Member Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 219

Nowadays I'm in the process of buying a second trumpet. Yesterday I tried one. It played well, it had the tonal color that I want, overall quality was good and the price was low. But I didn't buy it because when I placed it on the stand, the third valve slide slided down by its own weight. This never happens with my Yamaha. Is this a production fault, an indication of compression loss or do some trumpets have a snug fit like my Yamaha and some others with a looser design on purpose?

NMex · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:46 am Post subject: third slide

so,
The 3rd slide is supposed to work that way. That's why there are all sorts of slide stop mechanisms that keep the slide from falling out. The first and third slides should be so smooth to operate in order to facilitate throwing them out with your finger and thumb to adjust quickly and without moving the horn, as you are playing. Just make sure your stop devices are working correctly.
Regards,
NMex

Don Key · Regular Member Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 60

I don't think it should have fallen completely off the horn but to have it slide out a bit when sitting vertical on a stand - that's gravity man. Get used to it.

Don't forget that in addition to weak compression, a poorly sealing 3rd slide spit valve could be the culprit (if its installed). Did you check the compression for yourself? Did you hear the *pop*?

tpetplyr · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:04 am Post subject:

I know my third slide is properly lubricated when it falls down of its own (and gravity's) volition. Then its nice and fast:) I keep the first slide a little slower, but not much. Just dont lose the slide stop.

Stuart
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so55 · Veteran Member Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 219

Thank you for the replies. That trumpet didn't have the third slide spit valve. Yes I checked it and the pop sound was not so strong as in my Yamaha. I use a thin oil in my third slide and I can move it smoothly without any effort but still it never goes down by gravity when it is vertical. In fact if I move the slide without the third valve pressed and then release it, it returns quickly, not fully but it returns almost half the way, even when it's vertical. Is this someting peculiar to Yamaha slides?

mulligan stew · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1846

A good third valve slide on a good trumpet is NOT supposed to slide down of its own accord when on a trumpet stand. Every Schilke I've ever played has had a perfect third slide--meaning a totally effortless throw; but once on a stand, they stay in overnight because of tight valve compression.

I have a 50-some year-old Ambassador with a very nice third valve slide. Until recently, though, it would slide down slowly when on a trumpet stand. I had the valves rebuilt and now it stays put and still throws easily.
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NMex · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:57 am Post subject: 3rd slide

It will depend on how you treat your slide. I use valve oil and the slide moves just by the force of gravity when I put the horn on the stand (probably a bit of compression working there too). Some people use heavier combinations of valve oil and lanolin or some other treatment and this will hold the slide somewhat. With regard to the original post, a 3rd slide that moves when the horn is placed on a stand is not likely an indication that there is a problem with the horn.
NMex

WFUnix · Veteran Member Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 433

I think Mulligan Stew is probably right - my Schilke and Kanstul slides are as slick as glass - but they don't move a mm unless I press down the 3rd valve. On the other hand, I had a Bach from the early 80s whose 3rd valve slide would come down on my stand just from gravity. It had lost some compression.