Optimizing Bach Stradivarius Trumpets
(and other trumpet models and brands)
This guide to optimizing your Bach Stradivarius trumpet was written and shared on BachLoyalist with permission by a fellow Bach loyalist. There are many helpful tips and ideas on improving your Bach Stradivarius trumpet.
Try these ideas with your Bach Stradivarius trumpet, but be careful not to damage your trumpet permanently. If you’re uncomfortable completing these ideas, work with your local brass instrument repair shop.
If others have ideas, please contact BachLoyalist, and we’ll add them to this page.
Introduction
” There are many ways you can adjust your Bach Stradivarius trumpet at home that affect how the instrument will play for you. Because I am a nerd, I have figured this stuff out. And because I am a huge nerd, I decided to create this document and share it with the world. I hope it helps.
These things probably seem like, “Come on, could that make a difference?” And if you are an amateur who never practices, then no, you may not notice a significant difference. But I am not here to convince anyone; I am just sharing what I have learned. Take it or leave it 🙂.”
– a fellow Bach loyalist, Dec. 2024
3rd slide Stop Nuts – Position & Tightness
” You should have both of these nuts tight together at the end of the stop rod. If you only have one or none, the horn will play differently. It seems to also play differently depending on where they are set on the stop rod.”
A 3rd valve stop rod & nuts were first introduced on the Bach Stradivarius trumpet in 1927/1928. This was one of the critical design elements incorporated by Vincent on his Stradivarius trumpets. Learn more about the Evolution of Early Bach Stradivarius trumpets here.
Water Keys – Tension & Cork
“This is a big one: the screw on the water key. How tight should it be? This affects how the instrument resonates and seems to impact response and articulation.
I use a cloth when turning it because it can tear up your skin. Start by tightening the screw until it is “finger tight,” and then play for a few minutes. Then loosen the screw by no more than ⅛” and then play a bit. Is it better or worse? You could also loosen it a lot and see if you like that.
While we are here, you should replace the water key cork every year or two. This affects articulation. You can purchase new corks from MouthpieceExpress.com or eBay.”
Water Keys – Tension & Cork
“Do not think of the main tuning slide like “I move this slide until I am playing a G in tune with a
tuner, and that is what this slide is for.”
Think of it more like “I move this slide until I find the sweet spot where the horn is resonating the most and is most in tune with itself. Test it by playing open notes (C-G-C-E-G), look at a tuner and listen. Are the octaves in tune? Does each note “ring”?
Vincent Bach himself wrote that the tuning slide should be set to 13mm for the average player in
the 1961 Bach Instrument Catalog (page 5). So that is a good place to start. But it depends on your chops, your mouthpiece, etc.”
Valve Guides – Materials & Location
” You can get valve guides made of either plastic, brass, titanium, etc. You can purchase them from MouthpieceExpress.com, eBay, or even Amazon. Plastic vs. brass affects the way the instrument plays.
You can even mix and match them. In a video produced by Bach Brass, Michael Sachs said he likes plastic valve guides in valves 1 and 2, and brass in the 3rd valve. Have fun experimenting! “
Clean Your Trumpet (any Instrument)
” Sorry, but it needs to be said. If the inside of your instrument is gross and clogged up with junk,
that’s gross, and your horn is not going to play well.
Same with your mouthpiece. A mouthpiece brush is $3. Do the right thing.
Slides – Alignment
“
Be careful here, you could break your horn. But, the pipes of your slides are probably not aligned like they should be. You can get some digital calipers at your local hardware store for $20 and fix it. Take care to not scrape your pipes with the metal calipers!
First, the main tuning slide and the 3rd dump slide should be parallel, assuming your trumpet was assembled correctly at the factory. GENTLY pull apart or squeeze together the pipes to adjust them.”
” You can also align the 3rd slide so that it moves smooth like butter. This also works with the 1st
slide. The process is a bit more tricky, so look at this photo: first adjust the two GREEN measurements until they are equal, then do the same for ORANGE.
It is not necessary for the GREEN measurement to equal the ORANGE measurement, in fact it probably will not be equal. It makes no sense, but it’s true. Use slide oil on the 3rd (and 1st?) slide, not grease. I use Monster “Slide Oil For Trumpet.”
Other – Aftermarket Options
“You can purchase many products to further refine how your Bach feels and sounds. They are not better or worse than the original, just different.
- Heavy Valve Caps:
Several companies make these, and each is different. Bach makes some (left). Mark Curry makes a larger set called CCaps (right). There are others, just google “Bach trumpet heavy caps.” They make things feel and sound different. Not better, just different. You might like it, you might not. I find they just make the instrument harder to play, and I do not use them. - Different-Shaped Main Tuning Slides: The shape of the main tuning slide has a huge effect on how the instrument feels and sounds. Bach makes a rounded
slide. The most popular company that offers higher-quality slides of different shapes and materials is M/K Drawing. They make things feel and sound different.
Not better, just different. You might like it, you might not. - Light Valve Springs: You can purchase lighter-gauge springs for the valves. In my experience, I hated them at first. But after a few days, I got used to them, and
now I love them. “
Other – Do NOT Buy These
” These are examples of 3rd part accessories I have bad experiences with.”
- The Grime Gutter: Do not buy this, unless you want to ruin your instrument. Every trumpet I have ever seen with one of these has been ruined. It holds the moisture and filth against the instrument instead of allowing it to fall or evaporate naturally. At the very least, the silver finish on your valve casings will be permanently ruined. Just do not do it. If valve oil is falling on your pants, maybe you are using too much oil. Or carry a napkin and wipe the oil from the bottom of the horn. Or just surrender and accept that all your pants will have valve oil stains. Chicks dig valve oil stains, anyway.
- Valve Guard:
Do not buy this either. They are not as bad as the grime gutter but almost as bad. If you want to ruin the finish of your trumpet, use a “valve guard” for an entire marching band season. All that sweat and grime sticks against your trumpet like an old band-aid. So gross. Stop. Just wipe down your trumpet with a damp cloth every day instead; it is not that hard. You could also be cool like Louis Armstrong and hold a handkerchief under your left hand while playing instead of using one of these.”
source: a fellow Bach loyalist (Dec. 2024)
