Which is better for a trumpet or cornet?

Both fit brass stems, but check the size. The A83 is 9/16 in outside and 3/16 in inside, a common valve washer size. The STARTIST pad is wider at 1.8 cm with a 1 cm hole, so measure your stem and cup first.

The A83. Wool felt resists compression and stays quiet through more playing hours. Cotton pads like the STARTIST flatten and mat sooner, so you replace them more often.

Is the A83 worth stepping up to?

Yes if you maintain instruments or own several. Wool felt, color coding and European manufacture make it the better repair-grade part. The STARTIST set makes more sense as a quick, small top-up.

Do the colors mean anything?

On the A83 they are just color options, useful for marking first, second and third valves. The STARTIST washers come only in white.

Will either one fit my trombone or palm valve?

Measure the stem and the recess. The STARTIST pad suits a 1 cm stem with a 1.8 cm seat. The A83 suits a 3/16 in stem with a 9/16 in seat. Neither is adjustable.

One per valve stem, so three for a trumpet or cornet. The STARTIST pack of 10 covers three instruments. The A83 comes by the dozen or hundred, aimed at repairers.

STARTIST Felt Stem Washers vs Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16"

Buy the A83 if you want proper 100% wool felt washers for brass valve stems and can use a dozen or more. The STARTIST pack is a small set of cotton pads in one size and one color, fine as a cheap top-up but not a repair-grade part. Reviewers of brass supplies consistently favor wool felt for durability and quiet action, while cotton pads compress and mat faster.

Choose the STARTIST pack if you need a handful of soft white pads for a trumpet, cornet or trombone and want a simple 10-piece set.
Choose the A83 if you want 100% wool felt washers in a true 9/16 inch size, in four colors, made in Italy and Germany, bought by the dozen.

Prices

STARTIST Felt Stem Washers: $11.29 at Amazon (last seen Nov 10)
Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16": $8.00 at Ferree's Tools Inc (last seen Nov 10)
Difference: the Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16" is $3.29 cheaper than the STARTIST Felt Stem Washers at the latest prices (Nov 10)

What separates them

	STARTIST Felt Stem Washers	Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16"
Material	Cotton	100% wool felt
Outside diameter	1.8 cm (about 0.7 in)	9/16 in (about 1.43 cm)
Inside diameter	1 cm (about 0.4 in)	3/16 in (about 0.48 cm)
Thickness	3 mm (about 0.12 in)	3/32 in (about 0.09 in)
Color options	White only	White, black, green, red
Pack size	10 pieces	Dozens or hundreds
Origin	Not stated	Made in Italy and Germany
Stated use	Trumpet, trombone, cornet, palm brass keys	Brass valve washers

Specs compared

Spec	STARTIST Felt Stem Washers	Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16"
color	White	—
actual_color	White	—
size	1.8 cm	—
Material	—	100% Wool Felt
Outside Diameter	—	9/16"
Inside Diameter	—	3/16"
Thickness	—	3/32"
Colors	—	White, Black, Green and Red
Made in	—	Italy and Germany
Sold in	—	Dozens or Hundreds

STARTIST Felt Stem Washers vs Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16"

Prices

STARTIST Felt Stem Washers vs Wool Felt Valve Washers 9/16"

Prices