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Has anyone cut the long (23) 5th valve slide to a flat 1? I'm not close to anybody that has a 186/188 (that I know of) to look at the back of the horn to see what might happen...

I always like the sound of these horns, but would rather buy used (cheaper), and the older ones don't have the flat 1 (5th valve) I prefer.

Just curious as to how easily (inexpensively) it could be done.

I've got a 184 with the 23 fifth valve configuration. I thought it would be difficult to deal with. Turns out it's pretty easy to use. My F has a tritone fifth valve, so I guess unconventional figurings come easy for me. Leave the horn the way it is is my suggestion.

Here's a picture of my 184 CC which has had the 5th cut to a flat whole step using no new parts and even reusing the original brace mounting spot.

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jon112780 wrote:Has anyone cut the long (23) 5th valve slide to a flat 1? I'm not close to anybody that has a 186/188 (that I know of) to look at the back of the horn to see what might happen...

I always like the sound of these horns, but would rather buy used (cheaper), and the older ones don't have the flat 1 (5th valve) I prefer.

Just curious as to how easily (inexpensively) it could be done.

I did this to my old 186, and it worked out perfectly. Once I switched to the "other" 5th valve configuration, I wanted my Miraphone to match. Thus, the reason for the switch.

Not expensive to do at all, as I used the existing tubing from the cut down length. All I had to do was order a couple of extra knuckles to create the change in slide configuration (I changed the layout, and made a 5th slide similar to the shape found on rotary Hirsbrunners), and a few bucks for the repair tech to carry out the work (in this case, Gerry at Desert Winds in Tempe, close to ASU).

Now I know this may not be the popular choice, but I love the 2-3 valve. Sure, you can't really use those Bb fingerings, but the intonation of the low register is spot on. Good luck either way!

Ralph

Lee Stofer cut the 5th valve on my 1290 from a 2 step to a flat wholestep. Due to the way they had things routed, it improved the low register response on that horn. However, he also did a lot of other work at the sime time, so it is hard to say what did what. A 186/188 may have a less obstructive 5th valve wrap, though.