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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.

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.

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"

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.

Thank you to those who have responded. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.