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As a few of you guys know I broke my hand a few months back and had to switch to rotors (not my favorite personally) so i have been wondering which large horns (5/4-6/4) have small valves in them? I know most modern MW and B&S are using the "Big Valves", but are there any that use significantly smaller valves?

I vaguely remember reading (not that I remember where) that older PCK's have smaller valves.

Thanks everyone, more of a curiousity than anything

I have read that some 2165 had small piston valves

All (most?) MW tubas had small valves before the the large valve sets were implemented. Some people like them better, both for how they play and for ergonomics. I once heard one of the "big guys" tell me, though, that the manufacturing consistency wasn't as good as the modern valve sets, and that there it is more economical as well for them to perfect one set of valves, and use it for everything.

FWIW, the Miraphine 1291/2/3 with Yamaha euph (or tuba) springs was light and comfortable for me.

Eastman 6/4. Yamayork.

bort wrote:All (most?) MW tubas had small valves before the the large valve sets were implemented. Some people like them better, both for how they play and for ergonomics. I once heard one of the "big guys" tell me, though, that the manufacturing consistency wasn't as good as the modern valve sets, and that there it is more economical as well for them to perfect one set of valves, and use it for everything.

FWIW, the Miraphine 1291/2/3 with Yamaha euph (or tuba) springs was light and comfortable for me.

Bort,

Where are you getting you Yamaha euph springs.

Eric

It was about 10 years ago, I called Roger Lewis at WWBW. Not sure where to get them today, but not under the impression that they are hard to get. Could be wrong!

I bough them several times on ebay, Dillon music also sold me, but they are not in their website.

FWIW I have seen copies of yamaha psrings on stainless steel sold by a company called Bras-Fix on ebay (They are from England) They are the best springs I have bough! The pistons of my holton are trumpet-like with them! they are really that soft! (imh they are best than Yamaha) Check them out:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Maestro ... SwsW9Y0UNg

I really suggest try them!

Oldschooltuba wrote:

bort wrote:All (most?) MW tubas had small valves before the the large valve sets were implemented. Some people like them better, both for how they play and for ergonomics. I once heard one of the "big guys" tell me, though, that the manufacturing consistency wasn't as good as the modern valve sets, and that there it is more economical as well for them to perfect one set of valves, and use it for everything.

FWIW, the Miraphine 1291/2/3 with Yamaha euph (or tuba) springs was light and comfortable for me.

Bort,

Where are you getting you Yamaha euph springs.

Eric

The MW 'Big Valves' are a good bit bigger in span than nearly all others. Even other quite big valves feel a LOT more manageable to me. As others have mentioned, Yamaha, Nirschl, Miraphone, etc etc are all no problem for me, but not the MW.
The most comfortable pistons I've used with a large bore, are the Gronitz curved pistons they used to use on all their horns.
If you're OK with smaller bore all valves feel easier - King for example.
Didn't you have an Eastman 4/4 until the hand business? In that case though you might struggle as don't they have pretty manageable pistons?
What is your issue with rotors?
Best,
MP

Sorry to interrupt but what is a "curved piston?" I'm unable to visualize that....

Comparison of Miraphone 1281 vs Gronitz PF125, courtesy of Hornguys. Note disposition of valves, along a smaller radius arc in the case of the Gronitz. (Particularly from 1 to 3, which is as good as straight on the Miraphone and I suppose most piston valves.)

I do miss my Eastman, the only issue with rotors is just the sound. I'm not getting the sound I want, but again, this is more of a curiousity than anything. Just something to think about and to give me a few horns to try to locate and try

Does anyone know what year (roughly) that Nirschl and MW/B&S stopped using the small valves?