Posted by yeah, but on February 23, 2004 at 02:41:30:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: yfb822 vs mw45slp posted by ok on February 23, 2004 at 01:37:38:
There are some easy answers. The valves are pretty big, but the springs are also very tight. You would be shocked at how different the valves feel with some looser springs, like Bessons. Your last two fingers are not nearly as strong or agile as the others so when they get tired it makes you do strange things with your wrist. OK.
The valve guides also wear out pretty quickly on these MW horns. This can make it so the valves themselves are not in line with the holes which in turn effects low register response. Intonation can be a bitch. Especially if you don't feel like figuring out how to play a horn in tune ;)
Some Meltons come off the line with valve guides that are rough or off center which can make for some frustrating times. These things are easily fixed and the actual valves themselves are really very nice.
It is worth the work, says I. We are all quite lucky to have so many choices in quality instruments.
One last bit-
Concerning the feel and sound of the SLP's low register. It has been my experience that this is a case where some of those questionable low-ish notes sound a great deal better than they feel. C's still feel stuffy sometimes, but they really sound very clear and pretty. A good mouthpiece match can also help the situation.