New tuning slide

[Bob Kolada]

I am looking to replace the very small bow after my Eb Conn Giant's valve set with a tuning slide, and have the leadpipe/tuning slide replaced with a straight leadpipe.

Rough measurements-
leadpipe tuning loop length 20"
small side circumference 2.5"
large side circumference 2.75"

Both the circumferences are taken on the same bow (the "inside" of it), and are of course on the outside of the tubing.

Does anyone know of an existing slide that might work? The valve set is approximately .690, and it'd be nice if it is in silver. I'll try to get closer pics later, when I have access to a camera!


Thanks!
Bob

[windshieldbug]

Why not just use the bow you're cutting off and add the inner/outer slide parts to it?

You're going to have to make up length for the one that you're taking out of the mouthpipe, anyway!

[Bob Kolada]

You're going to have to make up length for the one that you're taking out of the mouthpipe, anyway!

Incorrect, as I clearly want a tuba pitched in E natural. But really, this bow is quite short so I figured the length would be made up in the new slide.

Why not just use the bow you're cutting off and add the inner/outer slide parts to it?

Now you're thinking!!

[Bob Kolada]

Does anybody know the thickness is for the tubing? If I know that I could feed the measurements to my physics degree brother and have him figure out what size tubing I should be trying to get.

Where can I get a generic silver leadpipe (probably not formed) for a regular bore (though I believe mine is actually .69X and not .687) Conn/King/...? The new leadpipe without the receiver will probably be about 12" long.

The first slide tubes are in good shape, so they should be re-usable for the 1st slide flip (my older King has it's originals and it works great). The upper crook is separate from the slide tubes and not a one-piece as it seems other horns are, so even better. Unfortunately, the 2nd valve slide is annoyingly short so rather than get every slide redone I'll probably be playing low A and maybe E 123+pull.

No close up pictures yet. I just bought a digital camera, but I should be able to get shots sooner than that. Maybe even some comparison pictures of my 5/4 Eb next to my 1/2 Eb....

[J.c. Sherman]

The tuning slide assembly from a regular (14K?) sousaphone replaces the monster's inner bow as you mentioned pretty well - though the "gooseneck" from the valve section to the slide will need to be custom made. It's not a hard job. TubaTinker's sight has pictures; notice how the far side of the slide is a dead match.

J.c.S.

[Bob Kolada]

Cool, thanks!

Even with the stock .690 valves?

[J.c. Sherman]

Cool, thanks!

Even with the stock .690 valves?

I'm looking at it again at my own in person, and there would be a need to shorten both sides and change the connecting tubes. I'll look again at my supply of parts and see if I can find a better solution for you. Although I'd probably use the same bow and use a .690 small side and match the other side accordingly (from a Conn 20 K?).

I'll get back to you...

J.c.S.

[Bob Kolada]

Cool- thanks! Anything that will improve B and Bb at least a bit is something that I want to do. When I got the horn they were just horrible. I can play them alright now, but the sound and feel is a bit "hollow" for lack of a better word. C is great, A and lower are OK either valved or faked. Bb played 13 isn't that much easier either.

Considering how short the 2nd valve slide and the fact that 4th is on the bottom only, I suppose I should be happy that my horn's false tones start on a strong A natural (and 24 E is fine without a pull) although that is already messing with my head (my other Eb which I am playing just as much starts on Ab)....

[Bob Kolada]

I finally got my new camera and my new tuba in the same spot at the same time. So here's a picture of that particular bow. Incidentally, although fake A-Gb are really good F and E are a bit difficult to tune up and sound good. When I get all this stuff done I am almost considering a 5th valve, partially for 24 E and low A but also to give me more options in the low range.
Valved low G and Gb are pretty good.

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm19 ... bow001.jpg