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Has any one else removed the fifth valve and felt it plays so much better with out it.
Daniel Rathert

Yes.

Two scenarios:

1. One poster (not me) has posted that this was done and significantly improved the horn, in the opinion of the poster.

2. One other poster, "LV", had Matt Walters replace the 5th valve with one of larger bore, and increase the size of the tubing going into and out of the 5th valve -- significantly improving the horn, in his opinion.

Try the "search" link above -- I bet you can find the information.

Cheers,

A friend of mine who lurks the forum rarely did so on his 56J. Night to day difference in opening up the tone, improving intonation and centering, etc. Alternate fingerings worked for him down low, with false 23 for B nat.