Rotary Valve Tension

[Sandlapper]

I have the opportunity to play two horns. One is a new style King 2341 with euphonium springs which is light to the touch. The other is a Mirafone (70's spelling) 186. The question is how much can I back the springs down on the 186 and still have the horn play well? The arthritis in my hands favors playing the King, but the Mirafone fits well with one of the bands I play in. Would rotor valves work at all with a very light tension so that the pressure to operate the valve was approximating the pressure to operate the King?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Rick Denney]

My recently departed Mirafone 186 had a very light touch, allowed by simply unwinding the return springs by a turn. You might prefer a different stop material with lighter springs, but other than that, the valves worked fine.

Rick "about to experiment with the same trick on his Hirsbrunner" Denney