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I have a Willson 2900 euphonium built around 2004. I go through about 2 valve guides per year due to some horrible finger technique. According to the parts catalog I have, the part number is PW1106.

I use to buy a batch of valve guides every couple of years from DEG. Calling the DEG number about a year and a half ago connected me with Getzen. They were not happy I called. I was told to call a local distributor and that nobody at Getzen had a list of local distributors.

Who are the local distributors for Willson parts? Google hasn't been able to give me an answer so I am at a loss.

Email Dave Surber (sales manager for Getzen): davesurber_AT_getzen_DOT_com.

I have a few in stock, but it sounds like you have a problem that needs addressing.

I don't know of anyone who has horrible-enough finger technique to actually wreck valve guides. What I would suspect is that the valve guide channels were not finished quite well-enough, and there is a razor-like edge to the channel that is eating your valve guides. I have a horn here that has the same nylon guides as when I first built the horn in my garage back in the '90's, before I had a shop. The point is, nylon guides can last a long, long time.

The fix is simply for a local repair technician to take the correct Swiss-pattern needle file (which has smooth edges) and square-off the edge of the valve guide channels in the valve casings, fit new guides onto the pistons, clean the horn and you should be good to go for a long time.

Thanks for the insight. When I was playing more, I replaced all 3 top guides once per year. Now that I have a real job, it is just the second valve about once a year. I just assumed everyone did that.

As I'm based in Switzerland I might get you some if you want.