TromboneChat

I’ve just managed to source a Greenhoe 88H, came from a pal here in the Uk who bought it from the US.

I’m Having issues with the valve though, it’s not happy at all. With the front plate fitted snug it just won’t move and so I’ve loosened it off and it will work, but stuff sticks now and again.

Are these hard to set up? Any I’ve tried in the past have been amazing!

The trombone is an utter joy to play. But the valve is a bit poo!

It's no different than any rotary valve.
If it sticks, it's either dirty or the slide receiver is misaligned

Surely the slide receiver being out of line can’t be thethe only thing that could be wrong . . . .

On this one if the front plate is in all
The way it’s totally stuck, but with it out a little
It moved almost ok. . .

They can be a bit annoying since you can take off both plates.

They’re pretty finicky unless they’re put together just right.
I’ve had the same issue, resolution was to disassemble, clean, reassemble, then repeat.
Been fantastic ever since

My experience with the Greenhoes that come through my shop has been that they can be, as Eric described, a little vulnerable to bending in the slide receiver area. This is because the knuckles coming out of the valve are a bit longer than the “normal” rotary valves.


However, the latest posts seem to imply that the bearing plates may have been machined too much and the plate goes too far into the casing. I doubt that this was done at the factory, because Greenhoe (old and new) has been meticulous about machining the bearing plates to exact accuracy.

I am wondering if your valve is older and bearing plates were “adjusted” by a tech, but they went too far. It is an art to adjust bearing plates. I was taught to shave off metal .001 inch at a time because it can create a mess if you go too far. It might be that your valve is an example of that.

My recommendation is to start with a chem clean or an ultrasonic cleaning of the bell section. That way you can rule out dirt or mineral deposits if the problem still exists.

Thank you for all the advice. It’s going back to my tech and il pass this on!

I have a Greenhoe bass and it's my second one. I really like the valves and have never had any problems but in talking with those that have their advice always starts with keep them lubricated, cleaned, and aligned. Take it to a good tech and go from there.