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I would like to add a dependent 5th valve to my Yamaha YEB-321, effectively turning it into a YEB-381, except that I want the 5th valve to be controlled by my right-hand thumb. This seems to be a relatively standard modification for this horn, but I don't know of anyone who does this type of work. I currently reside in the Milwaukee, WI area and I have a lead on one guy who would probably be able to do it, but I'm not familiar enough with him to know the quality of his work. Anyone know someone who has done this specific modification and how much it would cost?

Hi Josh,

I've got YEB321 Eb with a fifth valve added by Ron Partch in Toronto. Herb Poole, bass trombonist in the Canadian Opera Company and very fine doubler, designed it- right thumb operated rotor that is off of the third valve. Essentially doubles the length of the third valve giving nice open options in the low register with little slide pulling. Ron did four of these at the time- one for Herb, Mark Bonang, myself and I think one for himself, as well. This was back in the early 90's. I think the Miss Saigon bass trombone/tuba book lead to the perceived need for more dexterity and openness in the low end. It sure helped me!

It is now a great quintet tuba.

I'll try to post a picture for you soon.

Bob

The Yamaha YEB-381 had a lever that was accessible to both the left hand, or to the right thumb, a rather ingenious set-up. Unfortunately, the dependent 5th on these tubas was a flat half-step, not the more-standard flat whole step. I have modified a 381 to have a flat whole step, and the result was a pretty fun instrument. It makes me wonder why Yamaha did not do this, and now seems to have discontinued the instrument.

The photo that I have of the YEB-381 doesn’t tell the full story: So I add the photos I have of the similar valve for the YEP-321 (takes an extra positing):

Holy crap, that is brilliant!!! New question ... does anybody know someone who can fabricate a slightly modified version of that so that I can just switch out the fourth-valve slide? The only modification I would request would be that it be setup to where I can activate it with my right hand thumb.

Kanstul is making such a removable slide for the 321 euphonium. It's possible they have the parts to make a similar slide for an Eb. That may be a future project.

Ferguson