Yamaha Rotary Valves (YBB 641)

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Paul S
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Re: Yamaha Rotary Valves (YBB 641)

Post by Paul S »

Rocky Bivens wrote:I have a Yamaha YBB 641 tuba with rotary valves that I enjoy playing but rarely get a chance to lately. Because of the nature of the venues that I play, I almost always use my Weril 3/4.

I find that if I don't play the 641 for a few weeks, the valves start to seize up and I have to remove them, clean them and re-oil.

Does anyone have suggestions regarding what kind of oil or any special treatment that would prevent the seizing?

Thanks for any responses.
Hi Rocky,

I too am finding that I am using my smaller Yamaha F most often now and not using my 641 except to try to practice a small bit to be able to bounce back and forth with my fingerings.

What was recommended to me, and what I have found to work well, is to pour a bit of valve oil into my receiver as I am nearing the end of playing on it and then do some chromatic scales to try to get it worked throughout the horn before putting it away. I have had no problems since I have done this.

Of course you should stick with a regular oiling regimen and use the right oil for the linkages, spindles, hinges and such as well. I found an excellent simple guide to rotory valve care online at http://www.stusmusic.com/icrotor.html
Paul Sidey, CCM '84
Principal Tubist, Grand Lake Symphony
B&S PT-606 CC - Yamaha YFB-621 F
SSH Mouthpieces http://sshmouthpieces.com/" target="_blank
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