The Hagmann Valves | René Hagmann

Since its introduction in 1990, the Hagmann valve has acquired a growing success. It has since become a benchmark for acoustic quality, with thousands of units shipped from our workshop to the satisfaction of customers from all horizons (musicians, craftsmen, and manufacturers). They now equip instruments from the contrabass register to the tenor trombone of the most prestigious brands.

In addition to collaborating with the best manufacturers, the workshop is constantly custom-building models for numerous musicians, offering them a full line of handmade trombones. This is made possible by the talent and expertise of our master craftsman Claudio Maragno, who maintains, repairs, and customizes all brass instruments. As a talented trombonist himself, no scheme seems too ambitious to challenge. He knows how to appreciate his client’s longing to having built a trombone that will meet his expectations.

BRANDS THAT TRUST US

VALVE ADVANTAGES

The Hagmann valve generates a balanced emission between all registers, thanks to the judicious and exclusive distribution of the three air column deviations into the valve, which immediately provides a sensation of homogeneity and great dynamics, while retaining the original color and tone necessary to perform the most demanding repertoire. It enhances the basic qualities of the trombone and eliminates its unevenness of emission.

This exclusive tube-substitution concept ensures the air-column bypass with no restrictions on diameter or shape, allowing perfect air-flowing continuity.  The revolving inner rotor contains the tubes for the three deviations, welded in a bronze envelope, ensuring a minimum of mass, unlike conventional products.

Perfectly ergonomic, safe, and silent, the valve is available in a wide choice of cylindrical or conical bores. From tenor to contrabass trombone, you will find the model best suited to your instrument, regardless your type of school: Vienna, Berlin, Dresden, Paris, New York, Boston, or Geneva.

It is also the first and only brass instruments valve to feature a simple, efficient lubrication system that will insure protection and lifetime durability. Its utmost crafted construction features a brass casing housing a bronze inner rotor (alloys that have proven their perfect compatibility in this type of function for over 150 years). Combined with adequate lubrication, it guarantees long-lasting operation. Its long, small diameter treated stainless-steel swivel pin has a negligible wear rate, unlike conventional designs. The double-action spring (axial and radial) always guarantees the tightness of the (radial) face, while the (axial) diametral surface is perfectly adjusted by individual accurate honing.

Each Hagmann valve is individually adjusted and checked. Utmost care is taken to ensure maximum tightness, a fundamental feature for perfect acoustics. Each one is identified by a serial number with traceability.

Valve design concept

The 3-bypass valve is illustrated below:

The numerous angles and passage restrictions of traditional valves disrupt the air column. This results in irregular emission and tone with increased resistance. As the Hagmann valve has no restrictions on the air column, no angles and no excessively sharp bending radiuses of the internal ducts, the emission is full and easy, very homogeneous through all registers from pianissimo to fortissimo.

Since the 70s, there have been various attempts to improve the acoustics of the traditional valve. With his own, René Hagmann pays tribute to another enthusiast, Ed Thayer, a pioneer indeed, but one whose creation was perfectible in terms of maintenance, if only regarding the complex lubrication involved with his design.

The advantages in a nutshell are:

Fuller, purer sound

More centered and homogeneous in all registers

Greatly improved emission

Easier playing, less demanding and more open

Superior dynamics and better expression

Thanks to the René Hagmann valve, your future trombone will have the same emission and sound performance as an instrument without F and/or D attachments.

The Hagmann valves for trombone

Tenor trombone models

TTB36
13.5mm bore Bb duct, 13.5mm bore F duct.

TTB42.DB
13.5mm bore Bb duct, 14.0mm bore F duct.

TTB42.138
13.8 mm bore Bb duct,14.0mm bore F duct.

TTB42.140
14.0mm bore Bb duct, 14.0mm bore F duct.

TTB42.142
14.2mm bore Bb duct, 14.0mm bore F duct.

Bass trombone models

Single Bb/F valve

BTBF.150
15. mm bore, cylindrical ducts and knuckles.

BTBF.152
15.2mm bore, cylindrical ducts and knuckles.

PBBF
“Progressive bore“, 14.6mm to 15.0mm tapered Bb bore,15.0mm bore F wrap.

TSBF
“Two steps“, 14.8mm cylindrical Bb bore, 15.0mm bore F wrap.

Independent online valve sets

BTBF+BTBDc.150
Our “classic” set, 15.0mm general bore, one curved knuckle on the D wrap port.

BTBF+BTBDc.152
Our “classic” set, 15.2mm general bore, one curved knuckle on the D wrap port.

BTBF+BTBD.150
Our “classic” set, 15.0mm general bore but without curved knuckle, also suitable for dependent system.

BTBF+BTBD.152
Our “classic” set, 15.2mm general bore but without curved knuckle, also suitable for dependent system.

PBBF+PBBDc
“Progressive bore” set, tapered Bb 14.6 to 15.6mm bore. Dependent valves set-up.

TSBF+TSBDc
“Two-steps” set: F valve: 14.8mm Bb straight-through, 15.0mm F port. D valve: 15.2mm Bb straight-through, 15.0mm D duct. Curved knuckle on the D wrap port.

Dependent valve sets

BTBF+BTBD.150
Our “classic” set, 15.0mm general bore

PBBF+BTBD
“Progressive bore” set: F valve: straight Bb conical bore, 15.0mm F knuckles. D valve: 15.0mm cylindrical general bore.

The Progressive Bore Bass Trombone Valve Set (PBBF)

Our R&D department has conceived a new exclusive bass trombone valve set referred as the “progressive bore” system. Evaluated by numerous top professionals, this design has proven to be the state-of-the-art concept.

For technical and simplification reasons, the traditional bore through the two F and D valves is cylindrical, about 15.0mm to match both wraps.

In principle, the air column section linking the playing slide to the main tuning slide should be conical, as on a single Bb tenor. Our approach is to reproduce as closely as possible the ideal conical bore progression through both valves.

The tonal balance resulting from this highly refined concept evidences the relevance of our approach. The unique combination of interior geometry, manufacturing knowledge and experimentation has given birth to a genuine evolution in the bass trombone design.

This set features a conical progression through the two valves, with Bb passages ranging from 14.6 to 15.5mm. Operation with the 15mm F and D wraps is very balanced. This unique design improves overall sound emission and homogeneity. Even when playing pianissimo notes, the low register is optimally fluent, while the tenor segment is more consistent.

Tests in concert halls have also demonstrated a superior projection in comparison with our traditional cylindrical sets. This kind of set-up is ideal for symphonic and contemporary music.

The unique design of this “progressive bore” set is only made possible with a 3-way concept which is the benchmark of the Hagmann valve.

The Two Steps bass trombone valve set (TSBF)

The “Two Steps” design is somewhat derived from the concept of the progressive bore, but instead of being almost continuously conical, it more simply consists of two different successive bores. The F valve features a 14.8mm Bb bore, and the D sports a 15.2mm Bb bore. On the other hand, both the F and D knuckles, share the same15.0mm bore.

This two-step design gives excellent ease of emission, a slightly brighter sound than the progressive bore, but also very well centered. This model has therefore also been selected, manufactured, and sold to the entire satisfaction of many professionals and knowledgeable amateurs.

Weekly valve maintenance

The valve should be lubricated once a week with trumpet piston oil. We have had excellent experience with “La Tromba T2” brand. Do not use French horn rotary valve oil, which is often too viscous, or oils that are too volatile (e.g. Al Cass).

Proceed as follows:

Remove the A engraved cap by holding it between your fingers on its knurled edge.
Put about the equivalent of 10 to 12 drops of oil inside the D casing and one drop on the gasket holding the lid.
Put a drop of oil on the stem outlet, underneath the spring, position C.
Press the A cap back into place.
Action the valve several times by lightly pressing on the B flange while orienting the valve as follows: A up (ceiling), B down (floor). With this procedure, the oil is evenly distributed inside the pivoting parts.

RECOMMANDATIONS: As with a standard piston, the René Hagmann valve must be constantly well lubricated.

Oil serves three purposes:

It assists smooth mechanical operation.
It prevents from verdigris.
It contributes to vacuum, and delays wear and tear.

Water condensation may accumulate in the valve, especially at low temperatures. During your weekly lubrication, cautiously remove excess water before renewing lubrication.

We recommend that you have your trombone checked and serviced every 2 years by a qualified repairman.