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What are the options for piston valve guides on the generic MW and PT big piston valves? The plastic ones get frayed causing hang ups. Why are the valve guides on all of the piston horns that I've played not medal? Who sells valve guides? Is anyone selling factory replacements or custom medal. Bloke, do you still offer resin?

Are you asking about metal valve guides or something else?

You have two basic choices for piston valve guides: metal and plastic. Many if not most tubas have metal guides as delivered from the factory. They last a long time but can be noisy. Some tubas use plastic of some sort for valve guides. The major advantage of plastic valve guides is that they are quiet. Many tubas which are using metal guides can be easily converted to use plastic guides while others need quite a bit of work to make the change. Unless you have skills with metal working tools, it probably be best to have this done. Sometimes the groove in the piston cylinder in which the guides run need some maintenance which can be fiddly. Also, the guide most likely will need some trimming in order to work at its best.

HTH

Jeff "gets his guides done professionally mainly so he can go for beer with the techs afterwards" Benedict

OP: Sounds like a tech needs to clean up the groove where the plastic guide runs if the plastic guide is getting frayed.

or

find some metal guides. I would guess tht an established dealer/shop should be able to get these for you either to install or have installed

The Big Ben wrote:OP: Sounds like a tech needs to clean up the groove where the plastic guide runs if the plastic guide is getting frayed.

or

find some metal guides. I would guess tht an established dealer/shop should be able to get these for you either to install or have installed

If the groove frays the plastic, then it will be unreliable even with metal guides.

Rick "just sayin'" Denney