Old Valves
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- 4 valves
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Old Valves
A question from the uninformed here: What exactly does getting a valve job mean? The tuba in question is a 1944 Boosey&Hawkes BBb upright bell. The finish on the valves is now completely worn off, leaving the exposed brass underneath. Also, this tuba leaks, A LOT. The amount of condensation(?) coming out of the bottom of the valves is enough that I need to keep a towel over top of the bottom bow when I play. All help is appreciated. Thanks.
1930 King "Symphony" Recording Bass BBb
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
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- 5 valves
- Posts: 1382
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:36 pm
- Location: Canada
Re: Old Valves
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are a couple wonderful pictures that show the process from beginning to end.
http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/tubavalvereferbish.htm" target="_blank
And here is how anderson describes it:
http://www.andersonsilverplating.com/valve_work.html" target="_blank
Given the age of your tuba, copper valves could be a possibility, so the brass like finish might be the original finish for those valves. If the monel/stainless steel/nickel plating was completely removed from a valve, it would be almost impossible to play a horn with any control of the sound.
Unsolicited advice: the toes of an old orphan black sock (carefully cut off), ca easily be slipped over the bottom of the valve casings so you don't have to use the towel or buy a rubber gutter thingamajiggy.
http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/tubavalvereferbish.htm" target="_blank
And here is how anderson describes it:
http://www.andersonsilverplating.com/valve_work.html" target="_blank
Given the age of your tuba, copper valves could be a possibility, so the brass like finish might be the original finish for those valves. If the monel/stainless steel/nickel plating was completely removed from a valve, it would be almost impossible to play a horn with any control of the sound.
Unsolicited advice: the toes of an old orphan black sock (carefully cut off), ca easily be slipped over the bottom of the valve casings so you don't have to use the towel or buy a rubber gutter thingamajiggy.
Yamaha YEP-642s
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
- The Big Ben
- 6 valves
- Posts: 3169
- Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:54 am
- Location: Port Townsend, WA
Re: Old Valves
These examples show the valve block being refurbished out of the horn. This is how it needs to be done and the necessity has been discussed at length here. Consider the cost of the labor to take the horn apart and put it back together again.PMeuph wrote:They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are a couple wonderful pictures that show the process from beginning to end.
http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/tubavalvereferbish.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank"
And here is how anderson describes it:
http://www.andersonsilverplating.com/valve_work.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"
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- 4 valves
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Re: Old Valves
Thank you to those who have responded. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
1930 King "Symphony" Recording Bass BBb
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces