[Trombone-l] Problem with my Elkhart Conn 72H

[Charles DePaolo]

Tim,

Everything you describe to me sounds like a leak.  I had a similar problem 
with an old Thayerized Minnick/Conn 62 about 20 years ago.  In my case it 
was the valves that were a bit leaky at times, causing the horn to lose all 
focus and "ping."

Sounds to me like the slide you have has compression issues.  Perhaps during 
the rebuild the tolerances were opened up a bit.  Or perhaps one of the 
ferrules was removed and replaced with an air gap.  Or something else.  You 
can easily test the compression yourself.  Take the slide section off the 
bell.  Make sure it's lubricated.  Unlock it and put in 1st position with 
the rubber bumper on the floor.  Using the fleshy parts of both thumbs, 
close off the air inlet and outlets.  Lift the slide off the floor about a 
foot and a half. A unit with good compression will pull the outer slide off 
the floor along with the inner section, and then the outer will slowly fall 
back to the floor, maybe even with a bit of a bounce on the way down.

Another test is to put the slide into 4th position (again, detached from the 
bell section).  Put the rubber bumper on the floor.  Close off the air 
outlet with your thumb.  Put your mouth over the inlet and start sucking (in 
"gulps" works best). The slide should lift off the floor nicely and make it 
all the way up the 1st (or nearly so).

If your slide fails one or both tests, it's time to get it overhauled or 
replaced.  That little bit of compression lossiness will definitely have an 
effect on the playability or character of the horn.

Again, make sure you do these with the slide lubricated.  The water will 
help form a seal around the stockings and the outer slide.

Hope this helps!

---Chuck




----- Original Message ----- 
From: <t.stone at att.net>
To: <trombone-l at server5.samford.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 12:02 AM
Subject: [Trombone-l] Problem with my Elkhart Conn 72H


> Hi List,
>
> I'm new to the List and have never posted before ab am hoping I can get 
> get some help regarding a problem I am having with my Elkhart Conn 72H...