Axial flow valve

The Thayer valve (also axial valve ) is a new development of the conventional rotary valve to Quart and bass trombones. It was presented by Orla Ed Thayer first time in 1976 and represents the most important innovation of the trumpet since the introduction of the fourth valve in the middle of the 19th century by Christian Friedrich Sattler dar. master Franz Monschau the company Musik Haag AG Kreuzlingen / Wil / St. Gallen CH was the first in the world that left a Thayer valve in a series trombone.

Problem

, A conventional rotary valve is actuated, it redirects the air flow through a pipe loop having at least three additional sheets which often pass over an angle of 90 ° or more. This leads to deficiencies in the response and sound differences compared to the "open" instrument.

Especially with the trump of these disadvantages make far more drastic noticeable than with other brass instruments, since the characteristic timbre of the instrument is a direct consequence of his totally straight over long distances Construction: have trombones apart from any valves only two bows on it and have - particularly in American design - an almost completely cylindrical scale.

Is further aggravated by the difference in sound when actuated valve through to the 1980s generally customary laying of the valve loop in tight radii within the body ( "traditional wrap" ).

The softer, clearly distinguishable sound of trumpets " horn -like " instruments is due not least to its largely conical scale and its more winding design with many turns and bends.

Solution

The advantage of the valve with a conical Thayer exchange is that it diverts the flow of air by not more than 25 degrees. This also a more straightforward installation of the valve loop in softer curves with larger radii ( " open wrap " ) is particularly effective. As a result, the response and the sound when actuated valve hardly be distinguished from the open instrument - not even for bass trombone with two valves connected in series. Some even report trombonist of instruments whose response at actuated valve they feel as free as open.

Criticism

Some trombone players and instrument makers complain about an increased cleaning and maintenance or even lower reliability of the Thayer valve over the conventional rotary valve. Others suggest that such problems are not by design, but go back to a lack of expertise.

Especially bass trombonist sometimes represented the view that a certain increased Anblaswiderstand the speech valve deeper tones ( below it ) is even beneficial. Newer designs with lower resistance feels this group to play as strenuous, sometimes they also criticized a " colder " sound.

The Openwrap construction is mostly independent of the valve used, but is sometimes criticized in so far as the valve loop is protected in the event that transfer less well against damage than in traditional construction.

Follow

The Thayer valve caused a " race," the trombone manufacturer that continues today. This is possibly due to the strong urge to play many trombonists, as players of other instruments often prefer more traditional designs as innovative designs.

The newer valve designs ( Hagmann, Concours International de - Full-Flow, Greenhoe, Kanstul, Balanced Valve System ( Miller Valve, Amrein ), etc. ) have become a de facto standard, at least in the upper price segment and in the symphonic field, where a homogeneous as possible sound over the entire range of the instrument is intended.