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What is the length of an F tuba with all five valves compressed? I have a mw 2250 with the flat whole step fifth.

Bonus: length of bugle and individual lengths of each valve's tubing.

Thanks, Bloke. I hope to make it up your way one of these days. I can't find the bud bottle around here anymore. They only sell "America" now.

bloke wrote:......

The first valve loop is approximately 18" long, the second valve slide loop is approximately 9" long, the third valve loop is approximately 27 inches long, and the 4th valve loop is approximately 27" long. The fifth valve loop is approximately 24" long...

For a Pythagorean minor third (that is wider than an equal temperament minor third) the 3rd valve should be 1/5 of the theoretical length of the main bugle. With an F tuba that would be 28-4/5".

The 4th valve is 1/3 of the theoretical length of the main bugle. With an F tuba that would be 4’ or 48".

The 4th + 5th valves are half the theoretical length of the main bugle. With an F tuba that would be 6’ or 72". Hence the 5th would be 2’ or 24".

Really all of the valve loops are a bit shorter, as the activation of a valve adds one more valve passage, the length of which has to be deducted from the theoretical length of each loop.

Klaus