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Amado Water Keys
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:30 pm
by Tubajug
Do they come in various sizes or is are they the same all around?
Would
this one work to replace the missing water key on my Eb tuba? I figure the hole is already on my horn, so I could just solder this on and have a simpler time installing it than a "normal" water key.
Re: Amado Water Keys
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:55 pm
by GC
You might consider this:
http://www.pollardwaterkey.com/. It's a bit bigger than the Amado and won't stick like the Amados often will.
Re: Amado Water Keys
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:07 pm
by Lee Stofer
Amado water keys were designed for trumpets, and circa .500" bore trombones.
I have occasionally put them on euphoniums and Eb tubas, but it needs to be modified so that the curvature of the Amado will fit the larger tube, and I also drill it out just a little so that it will provide enough drainage to be effective.
I personally really do not like to use them on tubas, as they are at least borderline-, if not way too small to evacuate the water from a large instrument.
A push-buttom water key about 3 to 4 times the size of an Amado would be nice for low brass instruments.
Re: Amado Water Keys
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:22 am
by Alex C
I believe any metal-to-metal water key that has enough clearance to be moved, has enough clearance to leak air.
I try to avoid them.
Re: Amado Water Keys
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:31 pm
by Bignick1357
I have 3 on my 822 and they honestly are just there for decoration I will sometimes be able to get a little out of my main tuning slide but the other 2 are just for decoration at this point and time.
Re: Amado Water Keys
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:58 pm
by Tubajug
Thanks for all the input! I didn't realize water keys were such a "hot" topic to be debated. I was hoping it would be something I could order (or get off ebay) and install myself to save some more money.
I know I got this tuba cheap, but I still hate paying the same price for a water key (or any other part) as I did for the horn...
Re: Amado Water Keys
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:20 pm
by PaulTkachenko
I'm happy with the amado I have on my 621 F on the main slide.
It means I don't keep opening the water key with my leg (which is what used to happen)