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The swivel locking mechanism on my Prestige broke off. I prefer not to have it soldered back on as I understand there will be much discoloration. Does anyone have any ideas on a makeshift lock that can be used to lock the valve?

Thanks!

If I were using my hard case, I wouldn't worry about it. But with a looser fitting gig bag, its kind of a necessary step. In fact, right now (because the stupid thing broke before a gig) I had to take the 4th valve out to avoid any damage to the stem.

Trying to figure something out... stiff rubber band, perhaps?

I know, I know. A hard case is SO much smarter. But... I like the "back pack" of my bag (I'm not getting any younger) and the weight distribution is much better on my back with the bag. Wah Wah Wah... I'm whining.

I don't gig a whole lot anymore and feel I am "fairly careful" - not sure why that loosened and broke off (no doubt it wouldn't have had I been using my hard case)

Thanks for the advice.

I play on an '85 Sovereign, and I've found that, whether psychosomatic or not, the horn plays SO much better with the 4th valve lock removed, though I've still got the anchoring nub thingy. I just unscrewed it, put the paddle somewhere, and lost the screw one day after a rehearsal. Anyways, I use a SoundWear gig bag, and I can just tuck the horn in with the 4th valve depressed, and I've had no problems whatsoever so far. +1 for Cordura cases.

What you need is a sturdy case with back pack straps like this : The best of both worlds. Sold by a UK company called Gear4music :
http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Bras ... 4music/C80" target="_blank

This case is a solid block of Styrofoam,covered in nylon ( Cordura ?) molded to fit a euphonium. It fits my Boosey&Hawkes Imperial great. These come up for sell on eBay occasionally for about $100.00. That's where I got mine.

Maybe slit the side of a length of PVC pipe so it'll slip over the valve cap? Wouldn't necessarily need to hold the valve down; just needs to be long enough to protect the stem from side impacts.

Assuming you still have the parts of the lock, you could try reattaching the broken part with JB Weld. Probably want the clear epoxy.

Bags of Spain makes a semi-hard euph case (Cordura-covered medium and high density foam) that with both shoulder and backpack straps. Newer models have a carbon fiber shell around the bell end. Haven't used my hard case or my gig bag since picking one up 6 years ago.

Oh, and the Marcus Bonna case has backpack straps and a fiberglass shell.

Brassworks 4 wrote:The swivel locking mechanism on my Prestige broke off. I prefer not to have it soldered back on as I understand there will be much discoloration. Does anyone have any ideas on a makeshift lock that can be used to lock the valve?

Thanks!

before giving up on the idea of getting it fixed, have you checked with your repair man that it will cause as much discolouration as you fear? even if it does, is it in a location that will be too noticeable (and yes I know that even if other people don't notice it you will be only too aware of it)?

I'd rather have a discolored spot than a bent valve stem, personally.

ginnboonmiller wrote:I'd rather have a discolored spot than a bent valve stem, personally.

My precise thought.

+()()

I appreciate the posts. You guys are right. Possible discoloration is "character" and is far better than a bent stem. I'll make a trip to the repairman and hopefully all will be well. I considered JB Weld but the piece is a bit bent out of shape. Probably better that I let a pro handle it.

And then the decision on a case. I JUST bought a new bag. Ah... decisions, decisions.

Thanks again -

Just get it fixed! Your repairman should be able to strip a small area, solder the piece back on, and touch it up just fine. The result might be a bit of difference in color but no one will notice.

Brassworks 4 wrote:I appreciate the posts. You guys are right. Possible discoloration is "character" and is far better than a bent stem. I'll make a trip to the repairman and hopefully all will be well. I considered JB Weld but the piece is a bit bent out of shape. Probably better that I let a pro handle it.

And then the decision on a case. I JUST bought a new bag. Ah... decisions, decisions.

Thanks again -

Whenever someone uses JB weld on a brass instrument, a kitten is drowned.

J.c. Sherman wrote:

Brassworks 4 wrote:I appreciate the posts. You guys are right. Possible discoloration is "character" and is far better than a bent stem. I'll make a trip to the repairman and hopefully all will be well. I considered JB Weld but the piece is a bit bent out of shape. Probably better that I let a pro handle it.

And then the decision on a case. I JUST bought a new bag. Ah... decisions, decisions.

Thanks again -

Whenever someone uses JB weld on a brass instrument, a kitten is drowned.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

A little report on the fix: Looks great. ZERO discoloration.

On a side note: Rubber band against metal tubing may not be the greatest idea for chemical reasons.

But then the problem fortunately was solved by restoring the original function.

Klaus