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I have a question about the leadpipes on Yamaha YBB-201/321 tubas. I don't mean to turn this forum into a repair blog, but I know some of you are repairmen and the information might also be useful to Yamaha tuba owners on this list.

There have been three variations of leadpipes for these tubas. Each time Yamaha makes a change, the old part numbers are obsoleted and the new ones applied. I know that the latest leadpipe will not work on a pre-20,000 serial number horns. The main difference is Yamaha's change to an 'improved' detachable valve section. Although I've worked on many of the Yamaha YBB-201/321 tubas, I have not had an old and new side-by-side in order to make a good comparison between them in order to determine what will work. If any of you have any recent experiences putting the new leadpipes on the older Yammies, I would be interested in hearing from you.

Dan,

The main difference in the old (as in series 1 of 3) the last inch and a half of the pipe is curved to fit into the valve block. The subsequent series the bend is a two piecepipe (and additional knuckle and ferrule). The series 1 part # is H1130529 and the series 2 # is H1630520. Hope this helps

Chris Roush
Marshall Music - Lansing

tubari wrote:Dan,

The main difference in the old (as in series 1 of 3) the last inch and a half of the pipe is curved to fit into the valve block. The subsequent series the bend is a two piecepipe (and additional knuckle and ferrule). The series 1 part # is H1130529 and the series 2 # is H1630520. Hope this helps

Chris Roush
Marshall Music - Lansing

I understand those two part numbers and the differences. My question is...... if I add Yamaha parts H1844511 (mouthpipe aux tube) and H1344212 (mouthpipe ferrule assembly), can I replace the old series 1 mouthpipe with the new series 2 mouthpipe?

Yeah, that is a good question... of the 8 yamaha tubas that I have right here in front of me, I have one of each stlye of the 4 l-pipes. it does not look like the new l-pipe can be used on anything but a series 4. the gap between the ferrule and the bell is much greater (3.5") than the previous series pipes (1.5"). You would have to get real creative with extending the tube.

Chris

tubari wrote:Yeah, that is a good question... of the 8 yamaha tubas that I have right here in front of me, I have one of each stlye of the 4 l-pipes. it does not look like the new l-pipe can be used on anything but a series 4. the gap between the ferrule and the bell is much greater (3.5") than the previous series pipes (1.5"). You would have to get real creative with extending the tube.

Chris

Crap! I guess Yamaha would much rather sell new horns than parts for the old ones.

Hear that, guys? You had better take care of your under serial number 20,000 Yammies!

You can still get the pipes... contact me if you need one.

Chris

TubaTinker wrote:Crap! I guess Yamaha would much rather sell new horns than parts for the old ones.

Hear that, guys? You had better take care of your under serial number 20,000 Yammies!

Indeed. Preplanned obsolescence is not just for automobile manufacturers anymore.

tubari wrote:You can still get the pipes... contact me if you need one.

Chris

My current need for one of the older pipes has gone away for the moment. I checked with Yamaha and there is supposedly only one in stock in Japan. Just in case the need comes back... do you have some in stock?

Dan,

I have three of the older inline style... and 8 new style (needs aux tube) in stock. Let me know.

Chris

tubari wrote:Dan, I have three of the older inline style... and 8 new style (needs aux tube) in stock. Let me know. Chris

My need for the leadpipe has gone away. However... like mentioned above, there is only one at Yamaha in Japan and no immediate plans to make any more for the pre-'78 YBB-201/321 tubas. I talke with the manager of marketing at Yamaha US yesterday and expressed my concern about there being lots of older Yammies that might need leadpipes in the future. My guess is that there simply won't be any more older leadpipes. I suggested that they at least look into a retrofit using the new pipes. Hard telling what they will do. It's nice to know that you have some 'spares'. Thanks!