Tuning the 4th Valve Differently

[MikeBMiller]

Changing the subject just a bit - has anyone tried tuning their 4th valve to low E instead of low F? My Willson 2704 can't get quite that far out with the current 4th valve slide. But the C and low F on that horn are both in reasonably good tune when played in 1 and 3. So it seems like having the 4th tuned to E would allow me to have a good low E and B without having to use the somewhat awkward 2 and 4 fingering. I talked to my local brass tech guy and it sounds like it wouldn't be that hard for him to make the change on that horn. Just curious. Thanks.

[davewerden]

You COULD do that, assuming you can play C and F with 13 and they are OK (as you stated). But that could make life "interesting" as you play down through the low Eb, D, Db, C, and B. It could mess up some of those notes. For my horns, I would never make a permanent change to do this.

FWIW, I don't know of anyone who has done this, but it would not surprise me greatly if someone has made that mod.

[MikeBMiller]

My playing in a concert band almost never goes below an E.