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My '70s 184 CC still doesn't NEED 5 valves...
(still probably could use a better operator, though)

I refuse to be trolled...

I cut my teeth on a 5-valve B&S, with a 23 fifth valve. Anything else is still weird to me.

In 1970, I picked up 2 new horns (MW F 6v and CC 5v). Heck, I was 23 and the world was waiting for me.

I quickly learned uses for those valves and to this day still feel lost on a horn with out the 5th. These days I set both my F and CC up identically with regard to the tuning for the 5th valve and also that it is thumb operated. Since the finger patterns are both the same, it makes things easier in the "automatic pilot" mode.

Somewhere over the years I lost interest in using a 6th valve - calling for the left hand. I am rethinking that a bit and trying to figure out how to put the 6th valve on a 5 valve F so as to allow for an "all fingers down" low F. (That is possible with a 5th valve with 2 whole steps - but I am not particularly comfortable anymore with that set up. Perhaps that lone 6th valve could go on the 4th valve circuit with a trigger going to someplace ergonomic. That fingered pedal F is very rich sounding and seems to present itself with a certain focus similar to the other fingered notes adjacent to it.

So, who needs 5? Well I, for one, certainly prefer it that way, and on the F even look to a somewhat custom tuba with the 6th valve as I mentioned above.

Some of us just "luv" messin' with stuff.

The related issue to this of course is whether or not it is a dependent 5th valve. Certain opinions have the dependent valve (out of the bugle) allowing for a slightly freer blowing horn. (at least it feels that way from under the bell) As far as what it sounds like out in the hall, I'm not sure what the verdict would be.