• Scooter is back to talk about horn modifications, specifically those used by the 2008 Star United Mellophone Section.
• Sean Conley is the section leader of Star United and the King of Horn Mods.  There are only so many things you can do to improve playability as they are flawed instruments to begin with.
• The section had 3 Yamaha 204's and one King 1121, which underwent most of the modifications.  These included opening up the lead pipe and custom valve alignments.  This can help the tone quality through the ranges -- not so much for intonation.  Additionally, some bracing was changed, which impacts the way the horn vibrates. 
• There is an area inside the receiver between where the mouthpiece sits and the beginning of the lead pipe.  That can sometimes be adjusted, which will impact the sound.
• Everyone used CCaps.  They are heavyweight caps added to the bottom of the valves that add mass to the instrument.  The Middle Horn Leader has a list of all the variations in which they can be used.
• In addition to the CCaps, they are also used with rubber spacers and washers to give variations.  Each valve can be adjusted separately.
• Sam Range has posted his recipe for using the CCaps. Scooter uses it and loves it.  It can help the horn slot better when slurring.
• Sometimes horn modifications have a placebo effect, which isn't a bad thing as it forces you to analyze how your instrument plays.  John says any physical change will change the way the horn plays in some way.
• Al and John agree that on French Horn, the note to change to the Bb side is G# in the staff, and F below the staff.  Would a conductor be able to tell?
• Mouthpieces also qualify as a modification, especially since some manufacturers (like Curry and Hammond) make higher mass mouthpieces.
• O-rings on valve slides can also assist with intonation, especially if your mouthpiece makes your horn play sharp.
• An Adjustable Gap Receiver will also change the way your horn plays.
• Mobile braces will also change your playability.  It takes some experimentation, of course.
• There are also water key mods, such as the Amado or the Saturn Key.  Be careful because they can malfunction.
• Al had an E-flat slide for his Yamaha 203.  It definitely makes the horn sound fatter.
• Since corps don't keep their horns beyond a year, there are fewer modifications done.
• By the way, David Welch passed away earlier this week.  Visit his website at 38lemon.com.

• Listening Assignment:  "Circus Maximus" by the 1991 Star of Indiana, arranged by Jim Prime.
  • Star veterans don't look back at this show with reverence.
  • No mods were made to any of the instruments (they were 2-valve King K-50's, by the way), yet they were all able to play in tune.
  • Their rehearsal schedule that year was very intense.
  • The opening statement was originally going to be herald trumpets, but they decided against it.
  • This was the only championship Star won.
  • Jim Prime is a master of making parts fit the instrument.  You'd never know everyone is playing 2-valved horns.

Running Time: 45:27