I just purchased a silver King 601 trumpet for my son in beginner band. The trumpet is in immaculate shape no dings, etc. However, it doesnt play well at all. We took all the valves out and washed the trumpet completely. I have the valves back in their numbered slots, but not sure they are lined up correctly. Also, the tuning slide is stuck. I cannot get it to adjust. Can anyone help?? Is this trumpet salvageable?? My guess is it was put up without being maintained regularly. Any idea how much it might cost to get it fixed?? I am weighing whether to try and return it, ask for help in paying a repair bill, or fix it ourselves. Anyone have experience with a problem like this?? It really appears to be a nice trumpet. THanks for your advice in advance.

Hmmm. It is definitely a possibilty that it came out of the factory bad, happens even with professional trumpets. Assuming that's not it however, try making sure all the valves are turned to the right as far as possible. Also look at the water keys and make sure they are making a tight seal against the opening. An air leak in that area can result in a very raspy, unfavorable sound. If not, just take it in to a music store and have them take a look, they should be able to tell you what's wrong with it (i.e if something went wrong in the factory, in which case you can return it.). If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me at uhhhno@msn.com. Hope this helps.

I'm sorry, I should have made it clear that it was a used trumpet, so probably not a factory defect. I am thinking perhaps it was used for a brief time, then stored for several years. We can get sound out of it, but badly out of tune. So I was just checking to see how to put the valves back in. How do you line up the holes?? Also, is there a way to get the tuning slide unstuck?? Thank you for your suggestions.

If the valves can be put in wrong and still lock. First, look at the valves, if they have a stamped number on them make sure the numbers are all facing you as you play it. the only sure way to check to see if valves are in correctly is to remove slides and push valve down shine a light in tubing to see if the valve is lining up perfectly when valve is pushed down. The holes should line up when valve is down and not line up when valve is up. It is important to have slide action on a trumpet, so rather than yanking on it yourself take it to a music store and see if they can free those up for you. If you got a good deal on it don't scrap it. King is a solid piece of metal so it should hold up. Good beginner model.

Your best bet is to take the horn to a music store or qualified instrument repairman who is equipped to free the stuck slide without risking damage to the instrument. If the valves are in the proper tubes (#1 being closest to the mouthpiece, #2 being the center and #3 being nearest the bell) turn/twist them gently until the guides snap into their grooves. On some older horns it is possible that they might snap in 180 degrees from where they should be, but that's not a common problem. I suspect that it not playing well is more the beginner musician than anything with the instrument .