HELP! HELP! HELP! Please! needed in Norfolk, VA

[Donn]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I will be doing the leak test mentioned above as soon as I get home from work and I'll post the results.

Try to include the tuning bits in the leak testing.

[humnbass]

Well guys the Verdict is in.

The leaks that reared their ugly heads came from the tuning slides, where they insert into the tubing section. This leak test is the best. It even caused some of the tuning slides to back out a little. There was a small leak coming from the second body coupling (don't know the correct name) from the bell receiver of the body but that has probably been like that for quite some time. I guess the only thing left to do is check the valve alignment. Wow, I've never had to go through all of this but hey I thank everyone for your suggestions and tips. I've learned quite a bit.

thanks again.

[humnbass]

I previously had the lead pipe replaced. When it was replaced it played great for about a week or so and then it started sounding off and felt like it was loosing air. I thought it was leaking from somewhere but the only air that it was losing was coming from where I mentioned above. I looked at the valves today and they were out of alignment. So I made an attempt to align them. I couldn't play it tonight because I live in an apartment. But I'm itching to see how it sounds tomorrow. I aligned them so that the edge of the port on the valve wouldn't be extended over the edge of the port in the valve sleeve (don't know what it's called). my goal with the alignment was to get the valve port and the port in the valve sleeve as close to being completely open as possible. I hope this is the proper way to align them. Anyway, I'll find out tomorrow when I test it out. Again, I'll let you guys know the verdict tomorrow.

Thanks again.