Valve guides for a miraphone 1291CC

[tubashaman2]

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[tubashaman2]

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[The Big Ben]

I don't think the guides themselves are too expensive. However, the devil is in the details!

I had this job done on my old King. It was "$30 a hole" with parts. Dan O. had a plastic box like the kind used for fishing lures with about a dozen subtly different guides. When he picked out the ones he wanted, he measured and filed them for clearance. It took him about an hour for the three valves.

I suppose it is up to you. With plastic/nylon/teflon probably the worst thing that could happen is you ruin a guide. If you don't mind fiddling, you could save some money.

[tubashaman2]

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[The Big Ben]

Contact a Miraphone dealer.

[noriegatuba]

Hey James its NJ. If this is still current, I think you'd be better off contacting an instrument repair place. Some are pretty good at installing new metal guides rather than the old plastic ones. They'll even shave'em custom just to fit your horns specs. My best friend is a brass repairman for Fleming Instrument Repair in Houston. You might want to give him a shout. Ask for Steven Rodriguez. He'll give you more specific advice and might even be able to tell you how to install them yourself (if at all possible). Good luck in grad school. I'm sure we'll meet again!

Oh and I graduate on May 16, congrats to both of us!

[tokuno]

I bought a bunch of spares from Roger at WWBW.
Ever since an unfortunate valve twist just prior to a performance, I always pack a spare.

[tubashaman2]

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[tokuno]

Tokuno--how easy were these to install and do I need special tools
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I've only swapped guides on other horns, never the 1291.
I bought the 1291 spares, gave them a cursory glance, and threw 'em in the case. Shame on me, if I ever need to swap one out in an emergency, because I didn't take the time to evaluate whether I would need special tools to effect the repair. Because of this thread, I think I'll go home tonight and take a closer look. Maybe practice popping one out and back in.
Looked pretty straight forward, but your best bet is to call Roger.

[Art Hovey]

Matt Walters at Dillon Music posted a detailed description of how to change the guides on Mirafone pistons right here on this site a couple of years ago. It was so good that I saved a copy. But finding it is more difficult. I do remember that it contained a lot of skinned knuckles and mild expletives. The Mirafone piston valve guides are unlike any others on the planet, and I am not looking forward to the day when I have to replace mine.