The valves on my pTrumpet are still sticking even after cleaning my instrument. What else can I do?

If you are still having problems with sticking valves even after you have thoroughly cleaned your instrument, there are a number of causes that we can help to solve.

Sticking valves is a common issue that most brass players will have experienced at some point while playing. It is commonly solved by giving your instrument a thorough clean and a bit of TLC.

Even after cleaning, it is still possible that you experience an issue. If this is the case with your pTrumpet, we would recommend the following steps:

1. Remove the pistons from the instrument. Twist the bottom cap and pull it out of the valve block. It should pop off quite easily on its own, but you can push the piston down which will pop the bottom cap and spring out. The piston can then be removed by pushing it down through the instrument.


2. Check for any valve oil buildup. Sometimes, oil can 'clog up' inside the valve casing which makes them feel sluggish and sticky. Get a clean micro-fibre cloth and gently remove any excess valve oil you may see.

3. Try switching the valves around. One of the great things about the pTrumpet is that the valves are all interchangeable. This means that you can replace the 1st valve with the 2nd or 3rd valve (and vice versa). Sometimes a switch around will resolve any sticking issues immediately. You'll see below how all 3 pistons are exactly the same!