Posted by Matt Chin on October 23, 2000 at 12:42:47:
I am the proud owner of a 1880-ish Higham Helicon with three piston valves. The horn is in great shape and plays very well, with one minor exception. The third valve sounds stuffy (alone and in combination with the other valves), like the notes are not centered on pitch. I've tuned the third valve slides (with a tuner), the slides are unobstructed (gave the horn a bath) and I don't think I have a leak (no water leaked out).
Is there anything else I can do to fix the problem short of taking it to a repair shop? I was wondering if a leakly piston might cause it to be stuffy? I am looking forward to your expert advise.
Thanks,
Matt Chin
Yarmouth, ME