New Wonder Pitch

dan_ostler · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:51 am Post subject: New Wonder Pitch

Hi!

Just bought myself a New Wonder circa 1915.

As I recall, there was a low pitch/high pitch thing going on in those days. There is no LP marking on the horn, but I have to push the tuning slide all the way in to get it in tune. So is it low pitch or is it me??? Also what does a * on the valve casing mean.

Cheers
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Olds Mendez, Clark Terry Flugel
Old Ambassador Cornet, Trumpet
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Hanns Hainlein 1632 Replica, MF Firebird
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nieuwguyski · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:53 pm Post subject:

Low pitch is A440, so the fact that you have to push in all the way to play in tune seems strange. I absolutely don't mean to sound patronizing, but are you adjusting both tuning slides? If the "opera glass" tuning slide in the bell tail is extended, the main tuning slide does have to be in all the way. In fact, I always tune with the vertical slide and leave the other slide all the way in.

I've heard several different stories about the *, but the one that makes the most sense to me is that it simply indicates the horn has the 2 1/2 bore -- .485".
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J. Notso Nieuwguyski

Gilligan · Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 4:57 pm Post subject:

Have you checked the alignment of the valves??

I had a similiar problem with my Ambassador cornet. The valves looked like the alignment was ok but not great when the valve was pressed but when the were released they sat way too high. After I had good OEM pads and corks installed in the valves the horn raised in pitch nearly a minor second.

The is a music shop called the Bandroom on eBay that sells trumpet and cornet rebuild kit for $19.95. They may have a rebuild kit for that old Conn. Give them a call. Their store number is (423) 899-1370 M-F 9-5:30.
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Gill

dan_ostler · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:33 am Post subject:

The valves do clank a bit, so I'll get it down to the repair shop and see if the alignment is an issue. Both tuning slides are all the way, so it's either the alignment, or me just aiming flat with the rather large bore original mouthpiece included with the horn.

Thanks for the ideas.
_________________
Schilke B4L
WTF (in Blue)
LeBlanc Gozzo 770A, Al Hirt 707A
Olds Mendez, Clark Terry Flugel
Old Ambassador Cornet, Trumpet
Olds Mellophonium
(Is there a pattern emerging here??)
Hanns Hainlein 1632 Replica, MF Firebird
(I guess not......)

StevenPSparks · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:54 am Post subject:

Hey Dan,
The * on the casing signifies that it was a custom build from the factory for someone. Conns (and many other horns) typically came with 2 tuning slides for changing between high & low pitch, but I don't believe that there were any markings denoting such. As mentioned above, something else seems amiss in having to push in all of the way to tune. You might also look for air leaks (water key, etc), as I suspect that could take you South on the tuner, as well. Good Luck!
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Sparks in Daytona

"I'm older now, so don't be a blowhard"

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