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Hello all,

A little back story first...my father, after not playing tuba since the mid 1970's, has decided to start playing again! He was my first teacher, has supported and helped me throughout my entire music career so far, and with him getting back into playing, I'd like to help him anyway I can. With that said, my dad has some lower back issues, so he decided to order one of those new Tiger plastic BBb tubas. There is one main issue that we have come across, and I was wondering if any repair techs might have some insight as to how to fix the issue without taking it to a repairman (my dad is a do-it-yourself type of guy):

The fundamental overtone series, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th valve series do not slot properly; I try to play pitches, I.e. low Bb, E, low C, F, etc., and the notes are nebulous. The ONLY notes that are playable and have actual pitch (they sound great for a plastic tuba) are notes with the 1st valve (Ab, Eb and 2nd space C), and most notes that go with 1st valve, i.e. C (1+3), D (1+2) and G (1+2). I can't seem to find any leaks anywhere, and I've tapped and spun the tuba and there's nothing that is inside of it.

If you have any tips on how to fix this problem, please send me a direct email. I would be extremely grateful, and, most importantly, my dad would have a tuba that is playable!

All my best,

Joe

Return it and get a different tuba. For the price, there are some used Chinese tubas on the market that are wayyy better. It's not going to get any better, no matter what you do to it.
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Sorry, I'm not a tech, but if the valves aren't lined up properly this could bring about problems.

Also, let the readers know if this is the rotary valved or the piston valved tuba?

Good luck

pjv wrote:if the valves aren't lined up properly this could bring about problems.

... or in any case something about that 1st valve, specifically where it's in its closed position.

Unfortunately, this is the 2nd tuba that my dad has gotten from this company. The first one had extremely poor shipping components and arrived with a damaged bell. However, it played just fine. My father was rather upset about the bell, so my parents shipped the first one back and the company shipped the one he has now. In hindsight, my dad realizes he should've kept the first one and just repaired the bell.

And, for clarification, this is their rotor BBb.

Ned Willis (new to OTE) has one of these rotor models, and has had them send him additional rotor sets. I will email him and see if he has any suggestions for your Dad.

It sounds like the ports align when it is depressed, but not when it is open. Based on the description, it seems as though the rotor is not returning to its open-bugle position fully, and leaving the main bugle open to the first branch when not depressed. Or, there may be a fault with the casing that is allowing a significant leak into the first branch when the valve is in the open position. Most of the problems with these seem to be leakage around misaligned valves, or sticking valves.

Try this: Remove the main slide, and put a cork in the tubing going from there to the valves. Blowing into the tuba should meet with complete resistance--there should be no leakage. Now, remove the first valve slide. Blow again--if air leaks in quantity out of the first valve slide with the valve not depressed, then the valve is not aligned properly or it is malformed enough to allow that amount of leakage. There should be no leakage around the valve when the button is up.

If that's the problem, check the stops (I can't get a close enough picture to see how they work on this instrument). If that doesn't present a solution, talk to the seller about a trade.

Rick "who wouldn't mind trying one of these" Denney

Joe, I hooked your Dad and Ned up via Facebook. Rick, Ned suggested exactly what you did. I think that Ned and Neil might be able to figure it out.

The Tiger is interesting; I think the only way I'd get one is if I couldn't handle the weight of a traditional horn, however. The tone is just a bit fiberglass sousaphoneish (is that a word?) when compared to other horns. It seemed like Ned was always fussing with his rotors...

@ Rick Denney - Thank you for the suggestion. My dad and I tried your suggestion and that is indeed the case.

@ bearphonium - Ally, thank you for letting me know. I saw the messages via FB... I do agree that it has a bit of a fiberglass sousaphone-ish sound, however, for a plastic tuba it has a pretty good sound. Plus, it's lightweight which is good for my Dad's back.

@ Rick Denney - On behalf of my Dad, thank you for your suggestion and clarification of this issue. It's much appreciated!