Unless I press the valve down, I hear it sucking wind as I pull the slide. If I draw the slide out, wait then shove it back in and then press the key, it will pop. If I pull the 1 slide out fast and let go it will suck back up a 1/4". the 3 has more friction and won't suck back up freely. The valves may be a little looser than optimal, but the instrument looks like it may have been played two years. The bell has been on the floor quite a bit, but the silver hasn't worn through. Somebody bent the bell flair a bit and hid the damage well by bending it back. There is no dent more than 1/8 th inch. It is non-compensating. Intonation on a proper guitar is tighter than these horns. I see the Adams is a pretty good contender. I just never realized how off horns could be.