On certain French horns — most notably the Yamaha 871 and some older Geyer and Knopf model instruments — the 4th rotor thumb valve is manufactured with closed ports, meaning the internal passageways are intentionally blocked by a web built into the hollow rotor design. When the valve is operated, air backs up behind the closed port and releases suddenly as the rotor turns, creating a noticeable "pop" that interrupts the sound and disrupts the player's air stream.
At Reddick Hornworks, I carefully remove this web by opening the rotor port to allow air to flow smoothly and continuously through the valve transition. The result is a cleaner, more seamless change between the F and Bb sides of the horn — no pop, no hesitation, just responsive and uninterrupted airflow.
This is one of those modifications that once you've experienced it, you'll wonder how you ever played without it.
Note: This is a permanent modification. All work is discussed with the customer in detail before any cutting is performed.
On certain French horns — most notably the Yamaha 871 and some older Geyer and Knopf model instruments — the 4th rotor thumb valve is manufactured with closed ports, meaning the internal passageways are intentionally blocked by a web built into the hollow rotor design. When the valve is operated, air backs up behind the closed port and releases suddenly as the rotor turns, creating a noticeable "pop" that interrupts the sound and disrupts the player's air stream.
At Reddick Hornworks, I carefully remove this web by opening the rotor port to allow air to flow smoothly and continuously through the valve transition. The result is a cleaner, more seamless change between the F and Bb sides of the horn — no pop, no hesitation, just responsive and uninterrupted airflow.
This is one of those modifications that once you've experienced it, you'll wonder how you ever played without it.
Note: This is a permanent modification. All work is discussed with the customer in detail before any cutting is performed.
