Posted by Jarod Plaking on May 14, 2001 at 08:29:37:
I currently own a Meinl Weston 2145. I purchased it from Dave Fedderly about 9 months ago. It is the new design with the big valve set. I have only one complaint about the horn (amazing considering that I am extremely picky about my horns). The first valve has a lot of "play" in the tuning. Middle line D of the bass clef is about 5 cents flat when the first valve slide is pushed all the way in, yet the top line A is way sharp unless you pull the slide about 3 and a half inches. The F's and B flats are good with the slide about a half inch out. Obviously, I can use alternate fingerings on the D's and A's, but the alternate valve combinations change the tone color too much.
Is there anything that can be done to reduce the amount of "play" in the first valve slide tuning? I have experimented with other mouthpieces, but the first slide tuning is pretty consistent.
Thank you for your time,
JP