As a person who used a Paxman single Bb with F extension as my main horn, and a King single Bb as my back up horn for a couple of years in college, I offer the following observations.
First of all, yes, the stop valve slide on a King Bb horn is longer than those on other makes of single Bb horns. On most Bb horns, the stop slide is two thirds to three fourths the length of the first valve slide. This length is perfect for playing stopped horn, as it transposes the pitch down the correct amount. The "H" extension can be removed, the rest of the slide replaced, and the horn can then be put into "A," allowing one to play in E horn without transposing. One can also pull the slide and "H" extension out to a bit longer than the first valve slide, and you can play Eb horn parts without transposing. But, due to the small bell throat size of the King Bb, the stop slide needs to be longer than the above makes in order to bring the stopped King horn down to pitch. My horn had a stop slide about a half an inch shorter than the first valve slide. Yet, stopping was perfectly in tune, given my hand size and the bell throat size of the King. I've also seen lots of Kings where the second valve slide, the one with the pull ring, got traded with the slide used on the stop valve. Perhaps if you trade these two slides, you will find that the stop slide might become a bit shorter than the first valve slide, like it should be. On the King, first impressions won't work. Experiment a while. Also, if the person who just purchased a King single Bb, with a blue case lining, from ebay a week ago decides they don't want it, please contact me. I fell asleep during the last hour of bidding. Mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wilbert in SC _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
