New valve blocks

[Ken Herrick]

I have been wondering why you would need to replace the current valve block. As Dan points out, generally the bearings are the problem area and can be remedied pretty easily. I have in the past had to replace bearings and plate and lap rotary valves and gotten perfectly good results for FAR less than the cost of replacing the entire valve block. If you really want to go to pistons it would probably be more economical to just replace the whole tuba.

[bigboymusic]

so Dan, Anderson plating sells used piston sets?
also, I've checked out the cost of a piston Fafner. even if the block was 6k, with labor I would still come out a few K under. and I HATE the new MW 25's. love the Fafners, but I just find the 25's to be 'tight'. all 3 20's I have had play almost like a heavy weight Alex.

[PMeuph]

so Dan, Anderson plating sells used piston sets?

No, what he is saying is that old pistons can be replated.

http://www.andersonsilverplating.com/valve_work.html" target="_blank

[Dan Schultz]

so Dan, Anderson plating sells used piston sets?

No, what he is saying is that old pistons can be replated.

http://www.andersonsilverplating.com/valve_work.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

That is correct.

[Ken Herrick]

I know from whence thou comest, Joe. As I said to another of our posters - a fine craftsman - when you get a top reputation, people expect miracles - ahhhhhhhh the price of success!!!

Bin dayr, dun dat - years ago a friend coerced me into taking on repairing a whole brass band's totally F........d lot of old instruments. I only agreed on the proviso that, as he wanted to "upgrade" his tech skills, he would do a lot of the work under supervision. Din't take long before he realised what a near impossible job it was to try to turn sows ears into purses.

Some things just can't be done without a LOT of hard work - if at all - and the point of totally diminished returns starts coming into play. Some cases really do require expensive new parts or total replacement. One must wonder at times how some shops will do the cosmetic work and leave the heart of an instrument, the valves, in a state of uselessness and take people's money and still sleep at night.

[hubert]

In reply to question of LJV:

Yes, Adams is the owner of Bauerfeind, but valve production is still done at Bauerfeind in Germany. However you could decide to order valves via Adams (address Miel = Emile Adams within the Adams Company; his direct phone number is +31-475-560707; he understands perfectly what you are talking about, because he is technically in charge of the Adams instrument production).
Hubert