Harry Weiss
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 1999
I just wanted to share with you my recent experiment with Curry heavy bottom valve caps.
I recently was looking at the "Up the Octave" web site. There were a number of interesting articles,one of which was a report on heavy valve caps. The article was so positive I decided, after Giardinelli told me they were returnable, to order a set. I fully expected to dislike them. I previously tried heavy caps on my New French Besson, and a few years back, on a Bach. I absolutely hated them on both horns. However,with the first note played on my Schilke B1, I was stunned at the difference.The sound seemed immediately richer and more intense. It did not seem at all like the rather dead sound I perceived with the other horns. The other thing I really liked was that it did not seem to change the feel of the blow much. The other horns seemed to have so much resistance with heavy caps that it took too much effort to play them. The only downside so far is a slight decrease in flexibility.
The horn does feel a little less comfortable to hold. It is amazing that a few ounces could be perceptible, but this is a negligible drawback in my opinion.
I don't know if the caps would be too much if used with a heavy mouthpiece but with my standard weight mouthpiece and B1 I have been very pleasantly surprised.
Michael Boyd
Wichita Falls, Texas
July 2001
I put the Mark Curry CCaps on my Schilke B1 and put two brass washers in the third cap. It gives the horn better slotting and the lower register seems deeper.
Ron Jimison
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
September 2001
I have had Schilke make heavyweight bottom caps for my S32, C5, and P5/4. They are made (I think) by Carl Hammond, who I believe also makes their custom mouthpieces. They are visually identical to the originals, and lighter than the aftermarket valve caps (Curry is my only basis for comparison). They add a depth to the sound without the resistance of the Curry. I have them on all three (or four) casings without the complications Curry cites with his.
Tim Gill
Carlsbad, CA
August 2004
Okay, got the Milashius Technicaps today for my Schilke B5.
The caps are just under 1 oz each, big fat barrel-shaped things that are a bit larger in diameter than the valve casing, and a slightly oversized (compared to the Schilke caps) port on the bottom. They add about 3/4" length to the valve casing, so you'd need a gig bag. I got 'em raw brass. They also came with a set of O-rings.
I first tried just one on the third valve, with and without O-ring. Not much difference, maybe a bit of darkness/resistance but not a whole lot.
I tried all three, with O-rings. The tone got immediately a couple shades darker and richer, but the resistance increased a lot- stuffy, in other words. I had to overblow to make some lines move out of the horn, kind of like there was a sock in the blow.
I took off the O-rings and tried all three without. This is the setup I liked. While it was a bit brighter without the O-rings, there was a definite (to my ear) solidity and richness to the sound, and the slots seemed to "pop" better without sacrificing flexibility or creating "brittleness." Paired with my 4D cup Warburton, I was loving the sound. My new favorite setup.
The change was not revolutionary, but just added a bit of spice and darkness to the sound. If the Curry caps are too resistant, I would encourage you to try these caps. The only thing is that he doesn't make them in the hexagonal Schilke blank, but on the plus side your horn will look like a Monette at 40 yards, squinting
Don Carmichael
Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
January 2000
I just received a set the same brass valve guides from Wayne at the Brass Bow and installed them in my Schilke C4. I was a bit concerned that my horn might be a little light and transparent especially because of its medium bore and medium bell. The addition of the guides added a significant amount of density to the core of the sound and also helped slot pitches. I also subsequently put a set of brass valve stems from Mark Curry on the same horn and found they too added another dimension to the sound. A rounder and smoother element. The feel of the horn also changed and I felt a greater sense of security holding it. A note about the difference in the noise the valve guides make, I found that after running the pistons with the vavle caps loose for a couple of minutes the noise level is reduced remarkably.
Dale McCaslin
Detroit, Michigan
October 2000
I play an x3 and have recently added a set of brass valve guides from The Brass Bow. I have always believed Schilkes are bright sounding horns and the guides have not changed that . However, the horn is noticeably more centered and projection has also greatly improved.
Ron Jimison
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
September 2001
I have just added to the arsenal the stainless steel valve guides Wayne Tanabe makes. I have them installed in my B1Lb. When I discussed this with Wayne, he said the stock horn would 'shoot holes in people'. I told him I wanted a smaller exit wound! This has worked! The upper register is more brilliant, edge continues to above double G, and as always from Wayne, the quality is excellent. I have tried them in my S32, but I find them too bright since I like a sound with more body from the S.
Ron Jimison
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
February 2000
I have installed on my S32, Curry brass valve stems and lightweight finger buttons. I did not notice much difference in the sound, but the feel is much improved. A more solid feel with what seems to be a reduction in 'effective' stroke (I guess that the thin top cap allows a slightly shorter stem). I have not checked this with Mark, so I can follow up on that and let you know.
I have Curry stems, and in the fourth valve a copper valve guide from Wayne Tanabe and a Curry CCap on my P5-4, and it has made quite a difference in the sound of the picc. More 'core' and a more solid sound, but the upper register seems more resistant. I am willing to put up with that for the thicker, more solid sound.
Don Carmichael
Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
January 2000
I just received a set the same brass valve guides from Wayne at the Brass Bow and installed them in my Schilke C4. I was a bit concerned that my horn might be a little light and transparent especially because of its medium bore and medium bell. The addition of the guides added a significant amount of density to the core of the sound and also helped slot pitches. I also subsequently put a set of brass valve stems from Mark Curry on the same horn and found they too added another dimension to the sound. A rounder and smoother element. The feel of the horn also changed and I felt a greater sense of security holding it. A note about the difference in the noise the valve guides make, I found that after running the pistons with the vavle caps loose for a couple of minutes the noise level is reduced remarkably.
Ed Kennedy
Tampa, Florida
January 2002
I was ordering a mouthpiece from Mark and I was intrigued by the brass valve stems. My old Benge had them stock and I liked the feel (after a Schilke valve job) so I thought I'd try them on my new Schilke B5. I think the weight of them makes the action feel smoother and the valves still come back up faster than they have to. I didn't think much about the accoustic effects. My wife, who is a professional cellist, asked me, unsolicited, what I did to make the horn louder? I showed her the valve stems. She said "please don't do anything else to make it louder." The next day the brass valve guides arrived from Brass Bow. Again, unsolicited, "allright, you did something else, it's deafening!" What I noticed was a richer sound, with more overtones. The accoustic difference with the Curry stems was subtle, with Wayne's valve guides, dramatic.
Charles Jeffrey
Duncan, Oklahoma (by way of Las Vegas)
January 2003
I played Bach most my playing days 20+ years ago and got the urge to play trumpet again when my daughter began playing flute in school.
With that I needed to get a horn and so, I naturally chose a used Bach 72. A very nice horn. I talked with Mark Curry regarding the worn valve buttons and he naturally suggested I try his buttons. They worked great and this Bach has the absolute best, most silky valves, of any Bach I ever played and of any horn I have personally touched. As I progressed with my playing I wanted something a bit more open feeling and purchased a used Schilke B1. It plays great with a beautiful clear open sound but the valves felt like "clunkers" as compared to the Bach. I purchased Mark Curry's action rods (brass valve stems) and lightweight finger buttons for Schilke and just like magic these valves are now smooth and silky. I have to, after two major positive experiences, recommend Mark Curry valve products for these instruments.
William Dishman
Gainesville, Florida
October 2002
The Blackburn A leadpipe for the Schilke works very well. Opens up the sound and helps with the 2nd line G.
© 1999 - 2004 by James F.
Donaldson
All rights reserved