I have a collection of 4th valve caps (all for Bauerfeind valveset). David had posted the mass of some with pictures, but I wanted to get a complete set of weights in grams since that is how instrument measurements often come from the manufacturers. They are as follows:


  1. Standard 4th Valve Cap: 12g (0.42oz)
  2. 1/2 weight Sterling Cap: 68g (2.40 oz)
  3. Heavyweight Sterling Cap: 122g (4.30 oz)
  4. HBC cap w/o spacer: 158g (5.57 oz)
  5. HBC spacer: 32g (1.13 oz)
  6. HBC Cap with spacer: 190g (6.70 oz)


So if I were to go with the 1/2 weight caps on 1-2-3 and the HBC on 4, I would be adding around 394g (13.9 oz) to the horn while taking off no more than around 2 oz for the original valve caps. This is a sizeable 3/4 lb. One can see how Adams goes from an E1 to an E2 by using .80 brass and adding heavy top and bottom caps as well as heavy finger buttons and can add nearly 2 lbs without a whole lot of work.

Right now, I am happiest with one of the 68g 4th valve caps on my Sterling (already a very heavy instrument) and the 190g HBC on my E3 (otherwise a very light instrument).

Doug