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Sorry - posted this under "For Sale" first... darned if I know why

Question:

Other than Anderson, who else does valve re-pating? I have a lovely Conn 4v Eb which may as well not HAVE valves there is so much blow-by. I'll be up-front - I'm shopping for cost as well. But I think this tuba will be worth the effort.

Thanks for any help offered. I can lift the valve section and disassemble it myself, of course, for prep.

J.c.S.

Badger State is an option but I have not been at all satisfied with there repair services. Can't think of any others that I would feel comfortable with when it comes to rebuilding old tuba valves.

In my opinion, Anderson is the best both in cost and quality. Can't beat em. I do some of my own piston valve rebuilds but only on special jobs that require a lot of extra work and price is not the overarching factor. When I do the rebuild, I do all the honing (internal and external) and my plate work is done by a local plate shop that I have worked with for many years to develop a system that works well and with minimal plating bond failure. Most of the valve rebuilds I perform are split between my shop and Anderson; I do all the repairs, strip the nickel or chrome plating and perform the cylinder honing. I then determine the dimensional details that I supply to Anderson Silver Plating. They will then plate and size the pistons to the dimensions I provided. Once they are back in hand, I will perform the final honing and lapping. I use this system for almost all the trumpets, cornets, flugs, etc. I frequently use it for tubas and euphoniums. Works pretty well but the down side is that you need to buy and/or make some fairly expensive tooling. The upside is that I can keep more of the valve work in my shop and I am able to compete and offer services at lower costs. Having the proper honing tools in house also allows a shop to provide fast and much more affective standard valve repairs that do not require resizing but more straightening of cylinders and or pistons. Its a very fast way to correct a bent cylinder or piston (I am talking seconds) as oppose to lapping a screwed up valve for hours and in the end not really repairing it but simply making it fit loose (and leaking).

The cost savings in shipping pistons only for plating and resize as oppose to whole trumpets or valve assemblies is also considerable.

Daniel C. "once again, providing more information then was originally requested " Oberloh

Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com" target="_blank