@J-Jericho dear J Jerico, thanks for your advice. Phil Parker's brass repair man suggested I heat the springs sufficiently to change the metal colour, but not red hot. I'm not sure what anneal means but this process may make the springs less strong which may do the trick.
Thanks for your advice on suppliers which I'll keep in reserve if the above process fails.
CaptainRat
@barliman2001 Hi Barliman, Phil Parker's brass repair man suggested I heat the springs just sufficiently to change the colour (he used the term 'anneal' whatever that is} of the metal. He thinks this may change the structure of the spring and make it slightly less strong. This may do the trick so I'll try it. I'll report success or failure in due course.
Thank you for your advice re Votruba which I'll keep i reserve.
CaptainRat.
Now, being an old guy (82) arthritis makes the valve action difficult. I managed to get lighter springs (Conn55s) from dawkes in Maidenhead (UK) but that's all they could supply. Conn never answer my emails. These are great on my Bobby Shew but I need some more for my second trumpet, or similar light springs. Anyone have ideas? In the UK here, there is an absence of alternatives to the supplied springs.I remember 70 years ago my brother used to clip his springs but if I can get proper ones, I'd prefer. Many Thanks.
Dear SSmith1226
thanks for your reply. I did search their site but disappointingly no trumpets mentioned. I recently saw one on eBay, the same Bb/C converter as mine but location and cost out of the question currently.. It must be a rare beastie. It's good for someone like me with limited air capacity. My brother had lots of trumpets and it's just one he got from his local (Lyons, France) music store.
I think I'm pretty lucky to have it now.
Best. CaptainnRaT
Dear D=GO,
I'm sure that's right re being good for my lungs, but when on a gig one needs to conserve breath and energy. This Dolnet has made a big difference to me. It's replaced my Bobby Shew Yamaha which was doing a good job, but at 81, even the valves are getting hard to push down. the short action of the Dolnet is a godsend. I'll just about get through the usual 2 or3 hour set with care. You don't get a lot of stoppage time in good old New Orleans ensemble playing. Thanks for your reply.
CaptainRat
I'm 81, COPD for 20 years, but still blowing. Recently inherited the above convertible trumpet. After playing for 70 years this is best trumpet I've ever played. East to blow, responsive, short valve depth, good clear sound. Nothing on Internet about them.
Anyone have any knowledge about them?
Captain Rat