Protec Trumpet Leather Valve Guard, Model L226

Bought this to replace a Denis Wick version which had started to disintegrate but only after many years of hard use in my sweaty paws. In fact, comparing the two, apartfrom the embossing in the leather they are identical. Exactly the same pattern - to the millimetre - and the velcro is in exactly the same place so methinks they're made in the same factory. That's by no means bad news as the last one lasted a long time. To the uninitiated, these things are a leather cover, fastened by velcro, that fit around the valves of your trumpet. They protect the silver place or lacquer from both friction and sweat, so you wear out the leather, not the silver plate on your horn. Simplicity itself to fit, they also feel comfortable to hold too, giving better grip.

I used this on a Bach Stradivarius 43 and a Yamaha 8443. It fits both of them perfectly fine.It covers all contact-points for my left hand, so I only touch the 1st and 3rd valve rings.It's very well built, using good leather and very well stitched. As expected from ProTec.My sweat is very acid, so I have always used valve guards. So far, a home-made guard I got manually stitched by a high-end leather-purse maker was the best I used. This one is almost as good (minus some custom embroidery I added just to experiment). Definitely the best "mass-produced" valve guard I yet tried.It's still leather, so I'd recommend to take it off now and then so it dries off. I'll be buying a spare one just for that.

Great protection for trumpet. Do not expect in a hurry. Good quality - I now have a three as my trumpets have expensive finishes that will be difficult to replace

Great product

Great it helps