Replacing valve guides on Besson 981

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AHynds
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Replacing valve guides on Besson 981

Post by AHynds »

Hello, everyone!

I recently bought a really awesome older Besson 981 Eb tuba, and it has basically become my go-to horn for most things. The only problem is that the metal valve guides have a pretty bad case of the "old piston valve" clankiness. Is there any way to replace the valve guides, or at least build them back up a little bit to avoid the worst of the clanking? If necessary, I would even be willing to investigate the possibility of buying a new set of pistons outright--I plan on keeping this horn for good, so it would be a sound investment, in the end.

Thanks!

Aaron
Aaron Hynds, DMA
Manager of Audio Operations, Indiana University Bloomington
I like to make and record sounds with metal pipes and computers.
IOS
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Re: Replacing valve guides on Besson 981

Post by IOS »

You can get new ones here:

http://www.dawkes.co.uk/b%26h%5ebesson+ ... no=bbh9172" target="_blank

A better option would be to replace them with the Delrin version.
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ken k
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Re: Replacing valve guides on Besson 981

Post by ken k »

in the meantime before you replace them, place a drop of heavy rotor oil or sewing machine oil on the guide, just one drop mind you. it will help with the clicking

i used to have the same issue before I replaced mine. I eventually had delrin guides installed
kk
B&H imperial E flat tuba
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