Rotor issue
- TheHatTuba
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1150
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:00 pm
- Location: Desert
Rotor issue
Today i got a Sonora CC. I really like the sound, intonation, and the fact that it has rotary valves. The fourth is sticking a bit i was wondering if that was the spring, the rotor, or both
- TheHatTuba
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1150
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:00 pm
- Location: Desert
Re: Rotor issue
Thanks. Im asking cause this is my first rotary horn. Im kinda clueless to rotors (unless theyre accompanied by 4 pistonsgoodgigs wrote: Hay, joking aside, congratulations on your new horn !
- bort
- 6 valves

- Posts: 11223
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Rotor issue
It might just need more oil?!
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

- Posts: 7461
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am
Re: Rotor issue
Would your fanny friend be a Featherstonehaugh?
- Wyvern
- Wessex Tubas

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- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:00 pm
- Location: Hampshire, England when not travelling around the world on Wessex business
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Re: Rotor issue
I have played rotary valve tubas for 7 years now and have yet to take apart a valve. It has never been necessary, but if it was, I would take to a professional tech. for help, not start hitting my very expensive tuba with a hammer
Most likely it just needs muck flushing out from the inside of the valve and re-oiling - that is all mine have ever required.
Most likely it just needs muck flushing out from the inside of the valve and re-oiling - that is all mine have ever required.
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

- Posts: 7461
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am
Re: Rotor issue
The problems may come from a previous, less than successful, unskilled attempt to disassemble the rotor mechanism. One problem with rotors is that even the tiniest displacement of the bottom bearing may lock up the rotor. This is for trained people to do.
Klaus
Klaus
- Dan Schultz
- TubaTinker

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- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:46 pm
- Location: Newburgh, Indiana
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Re: Rotor issue
The fourth rotor gets the least wear from general playing. However... it's the most prone to make contact with a doorway, etc. I've seen lots of bent fourth rotor stems. As one poster already mentioned... take the linkage loose, take off the stop arm, and see if the rotor spins freely. If it does, your problem is likely the linkage. If not... you might have real troubles.
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
- jonesbrass
- 4 valves

- Posts: 923
- Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:29 am
- Location: Sanford, NC
Re: Rotor issue
Congrats on the new horn. Why don't you just protect your investment and enhance your playing pleasure by taking it to a good repairperson and having them go over the horn for you?
Willson 3050S CC, Willson 3200S F, B&S PT-10, BMB 6/4 CC, 1922 Conn 86I
Gone but not forgotten:
Cerveny 681, Musica-Steyr F, Miraphone 188, Melton 45, Conn 2J, B&M 5520S CC, Shires Bass Trombone, Cerveny CFB-653-5IMX, St. Petersburg 202N
Gone but not forgotten:
Cerveny 681, Musica-Steyr F, Miraphone 188, Melton 45, Conn 2J, B&M 5520S CC, Shires Bass Trombone, Cerveny CFB-653-5IMX, St. Petersburg 202N
- TheHatTuba
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1150
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:00 pm
- Location: Desert
Re: Rotor issue
Sounds like a plan. Thanks all for the advice!jonesbrass wrote:Congrats on the new horn. Why don't you just protect your investment and enhance your playing pleasure by taking it to a good repairperson and having them go over the horn for you?