Worn round stamp Sovereign valves - what to do?
My Round Stamp Sovereign has always felt a bit 'iffy' while playing, but I always wrote that off to me not being good enough (yet) to play it to its full potential. It did never 'pop' when partially pulling out valve slides and pressing the valves afterwards, so I took it to a local repairshop to let it get checked.
To no surprise, all valves have worn down to the point the air just whistles through when blocking off the valve tubing.
Only real fix: get a valve reconstruction done. The repairman told me McQueens could probably do it. For the meantime (next couple of years if it works) he advised me to use vintage valve oil, or if that's not sufficient, even heavier oil. I approached Adams first, as they are in my own country and they say on their site they do offer the service. After inquiring, they told me the costs, but that while they do offer valve reconstruction, they cannot guarantee that the final result will be 100% satisfactory, and because the age of my instrument, the valve cluster can't be swapped out with a brand new valve block. I have yet to inquire McQueens on their possibilities.
I also know Dan Oberloh does valve replating and refitting, but shipping+customs fees back and forth to the USA (I'm in the Netherlands) + actual costs would probably be way too much for me, so that's not really an option, on top of the risks with shipping it across the Atlantic.
So, what should I do?
1) Let Adams do it, hoping for a good result;
2) Let McQueens do it *if* they have more confidence they can guarantee a satisfactory result, risking the shipping to and from the UK;
3) Wait for an old and battered 80s or 90s Sovereign shows up to use that valve cluster as donor parts if that's still in good shape;
4) Inquire at Besson themselves if they can do something;
Or, my least favourite option, 5) Retire the old beast.
Euphoniums
2008 Willson 2960TA Celebration
1979 Boosey & Hawkes Sovereign (Round Stamp)
Mouthpiece: Denis Wick SM4
Baritone
1975 Besson New Standard
Mouthpiece: Courtois 10