Chris Tedesco asks:
<< In all seriousness, I bet most of us never heard of "factory dust" or
lapping compound in new horns until the recent hornlist posts. If it were really a
problem, wouldn't it have been brought to the general horn-public's attention
much earlier? >>
I had some time to think about the other brand new horns I've owned through
the years and if there were problems. Here goes:
Conn 8D - L series, Elkhart, 1968 - Yes. Metal shavings in valves.
Clattered after a few weeks use. Cleaned and adjusted by Walter Lawson, no
problem.
Alexander 107VN descant - 1969 - no problems
Mirafone - full double - 1969 - no problems
King Eroica - 1972 - pilot model - no problems
Mirafone - full double - 1973 - no problems
Holton 181 - 1974 - sticky valves - cleaned - lots of oil cleared that up
but they always clattered - never could get all the end play out.
Alexander 107 descant - 1976 - no problems
Alexander 303 full triple - 1977 - sticky valves - lapped - still were
sticky - attributed to expansion/contraction of hollow rotors. Bad
design corrected by Alex since, I think.
Englebert Schmid - full double - 1996 - one sticky valve - taken apart -
metal shavings in casing - cleaned and oiled fixed it.
Every used horn I have ever bought, mostly vintage 8D's, I
immediately disassemble and clean, oil and grease because I trust no
one's crud but my own. They have also gone for valve rebuilds at
Lawsons - no problems.
As to the many students, colleagues, acquaintances at workshops,
KBHCers, etc. that I have known who had horn quality problems, it is the majority
not the minority I can honestly say. Some due to poor/sloppy workmanship
and/or finishing. Others due to lack of common sense minimal maintenance by the
owners. But hey, I've know people who bought new cars and never changed the
oil either.
To answer Chris' question: I have known about for years. Others have known
about it for years. You are a student and now you know about it. To quote
Marty Hackelman "That's why they're called students."
KB
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