Replace valves or new horn?

[braymond21]

Hi all!

I have a Getzen 3062AFR that I've been playing recently, and it's great, other then being an air hog. I ended up checking the valves with my magnahelic, to see if anything was leaking, and noticed that the F valve seals perfectly and Gb valve doesn't seal at all! Ot still plays well, but it got me thinking about how the valves may be due for a replacing, since the horn is pretty old.

I'm not sure if there would be any good drop-in replacements, but I figured I could at least reuse the tubing, even if I have to rearrange it a bit. I got it for pretty cheap and I can do the work myself, so I thought it'd be a good way to upgrade the horn rather than getting a whole new one, or just replacing one valve.

Anyone have thoughts, tips, or input? Is it worth doing or am I better off just selling it and looking for a different horn? Has anyone done an axial valve swap to a different kind of axial? Also, any suggestions for valves that I should look into, other than Instrument Innovations?

[Matt K]

3062 is a pretty good horn, especially if you still like the way it plays. You can still get parts for it from Getzen (if your time horizon is long enough… sometimes that can be slow). I’d personally swap for the Instrument Inmovations Thayers since the dimensions are going to be pretty similar and the parts seem to be readily available and the linkages should be pretty similar geometrically. Switching to something like Hagmann or rotors would require new linkages which I’ve found, ironically, to be one of the biggest pain points

[peteedwards]

any suggestions for valves that I should look into, other than Instrument Innovations?

Yes, please see my recent thread on replacement rotors:
https://www.trombonechat.com/viewforum.php?f=16
PM me if you are interested

[Matt K]

I'm assuming you meant to link this specific thread rather than the subforum?

viewtopic.php?p=253945#p253945

[pfrancis]

If you like how it plays with badly worn Getzen Valves, why not explore replacing it with new Getzen valves?

Sticking with OEM will mean that all of your linkage/lever componentry will be a simple swap rather than adapting things to work with one another as you go.

[hornbuilder]

Have a tech correct the seal issue on the Gb valve. Considerably cheaper than replacing anything.

[Matt K]

I assumed that if someone could do the work to replace it, they were also assessing that the valve could not reasonably be resealed. If that is not the case, then I agree with Matt. The 3062 is a good horn, and if it plays well already, I don't see a lot of point in replacing the valves with something else.

[peteedwards]

I'm assuming you meant to link this specific thread rather than the subforum?

viewtopic.php?p=253945#p253945

My bad- I don't do thayers- yet

[Burgerbob]

I don't think Edwards will sell you a valve, you have to send a valve set to them and buy an entire new one. It's definitely been that way in the past.

[Elow]

I’ve seen replacements with Instrument Innovation axials. Probably a lot of work but worth it imo

[braymond21]

I'm not too familiar with axials, so I'm not aware of a way to fix the sealing in the casing, other than replacing the core. If there's a way to do that, I'd definitely like to learn! I figured it was some bad soldering so I rebuilt the assembly, but it didn't help so I'm thinking it's a bigger issue.

I figured I could order a replacement part, but I thought it'd be a good excuse to upgrade the valves.

[tbonesullivan]

Is there visible wear on the core or the casing? Is there any end play in the valve? If the backing plate and casing aren't set up correctly you can have an air gap either on the top of the valve or at the bottom.

If I recall, Edwards / Getzen valves can require refitting after a while. Your best option would be to contact a tech who is familiar with a valve refits for Getzen / Edwards, or contact Edwards / Getzen directly. I believe that they have bearings that can be replaced.

[brassmedic]

Have a tech correct the seal issue on the Gb valve. Considerably cheaper than replacing anything.

This! I could have sworn I've seen threads here about sending axials back to Getzen to be rebuilt. Or find a tech who knows how to do it.