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Hey folks,

I must have far too much idle time, as I have come up with the following stupid question:

At some point, Miraphone changed the right hand 5th valve paddle design on their rotary tubas in particular from an actual paddle to a T shaped attachment. Do they still offer an old style paddle as a separate part? Can you swap them fairly easily or have a tech do that particular operation without too much hassle?

If I’m using blatantly wrong terminology I apologize.

I bought parts from Miraphone to go in the other direction (paddle to bar). It was a project that I never actually did, but I think the parts were different, and went from stop arm all the way to the bar paddle (new everything). Probably could be retrofit and changed instead... but it seemed like a nice idea to just buy all of the parts brand new.

bloke wrote:The spatula certainly has a nicer appearance than the rod, but - as the movement of the spatula and the movement of the players thumb do not share the same fulcrum - the old-style spatula inevitably drags against the skin of the player's thumb.

All the 5th valve setups I've done have a "t" shaped bar and a curved spatula combined - they work really well.

bloke wrote:The absolutely most comfortable and friction-free set-up is with rollers - such as are seen on saxophones, bassoons, and flute foot joints.

That said, I think I might try this with the next one....

bloke wrote:Here's your fixed pic, row'...

Thanks!

What am I doing wrong? I put the link between the "img" thingies....

Trombonists have been divided on whether a bar, paddle, rollers, or contoured grip are best for the F-attachment for years. I've owned some few of each type, which can get kinda annoying.

I think the simple yamaha bar that they use on their 600 series trombones is probably the most adaptable. Their 800 series trombones use pretty much the SAME bar, but they then stick an adjustable paddle on it. If I had one, I might remove it.

My Kanstul horns have an adjustable paddle, and honestly it's not as comfortable as a bar, as it somehow restricts thumb movement.

I like the T-bar actually...