The MJC fourth valve conversion came about , almost by accident.

Mike was approached by a prominent player who was having serious problems with his neck and shoulder.

The doctors had told him to stop playing.

Not being a large fellow, the stretch around the standard compensating EEb was causing the nerves in his shoulder to become badly enflamed.

We came up with a plan: replace the standard fourth valve with a rotary valve, so, the lever could be much closer to the player, and alleviate the stretching.

What we didn't expect was the openness that was created by changing the type of valve. Opening up the traditionally stuffy fourth valve register of the compensating Eb. The "kickback" commonly associated with the fourth valve register became, all but, non-existent. Allowing truer intonation, and truer colour of sound.

Result: A compensating instrument that is as open as a non-compensating instrument.

* If the instrument is not a particularly good instrument to start with, the conversion will not improve the instrument, only the fourth valve register.

Prices are for an instrument that does not need repairing to a place where the conversion can be fitted. Repair work will be quite for on top of the price.