Replacement springs for my Yamaha YCB 661

[Paul Tkachenko]

Hi,

I had them replaced about a year ago, but the springs are far too strong and the valves are super sluggish.

Where could I get some stock springs that I could just pop on the instrument myself. Ideally, the original factory tension. I could get some made up, but how would I know if they were the factory tension?

On a similar note, who knows what the original stock mouthpiece is for this tuba? At the moment I'm using a 24AW, which works fine. However, I'm so happy with the factory mouthpieces in my two other two Yamaha's that I'm wondering if that might be the way to go with the 661 too.

Cheers,

Paul

[ghmerrill]

I don't know about getting stuff in the UK, but take a look at

http://www.thebandroom.biz/01_search_au ... s.php?id=2

and you can at least see some things that are available as "rebuild kits". Also a "universal" spring set is here: http://www.thebandroom.biz/01_item_acti ... php?id=189.

[Paul Tkachenko]

I certainly should have mentioned that the 661 is a rotary tuba (Piggy type CC).

[Dan Schultz]

Hi,

I had them replaced about a year ago, but the springs are far too strong and the valves are super sluggish.

Where could I get some stock springs that I could just pop on the instrument myself. Ideally, the original factory tension. I could get some made up, but how would I know if they were the factory tension?

On a similar note, who knows what the original stock mouthpiece is for this tuba? At the moment I'm using a 24AW, which works fine. However, I'm so happy with the factory mouthpieces in my two other two Yamaha's that I'm wondering if that might be the way to go with the 661 too.

Cheers,

Paul

According to the Yamaha parts lists... that spring for the YCB-661 is the same at the YBB-641. In other words... that spring is very common. The part number is H2141130. Probably about $5 each from a repairman who deals with Allied or directly from Yamaha.

[PaulTkachenko]

Cheers for that guys, just I ordered them.

Interesting to read about the heating the springs etc. I'm pretty sure they are why the valves are sluggish. Will obviously find out when I drop the new springs in.

[PaulTkachenko]

What about the stock mouthpiece? Anyone?

[J.c. Sherman]

Stock Mouthpiece according to my old catalogue was a Yamaha 67C4

J.c.S.

[Paul Tkachenko]

Brilliant - thanks for looking.

Paul

[Paul Tkachenko]

If anyone knows (I think these are both common mouthpieces, so it seems) what are the differences between the 67C4 and a Bach 24AW?

Thanks in advance for your help - we all know what a subtle thing selecting a mouthpiece can be.

I've been having such luck with factory mouthpieces (tuning just seems better), I'm so tempted to try it on this tuba too.

[Paul Tkachenko]

So, according to this:

http://www.allbrassradio.com/tubampccharts.htm" target="_blank

The 67C4 will be a touch bigger?

Is the Bobo solo mouthpiece worth considering for this tuba in anyone's opinion?

[J.c. Sherman]

Bobo Solo - Run away screaming! BAD fit for this horn. TINY in all directions. Sold mine FAST... it even screwed up the pitch on my Yamaha 621 F!

The 67C4 and the 24AW are WILDLY different mouthpieces. The 67C4 will have a wider cup, but a very different, rounded bowl, rather than the more funnell-shape-with-a-45-calibre-hole-through-it that the 24AW is. It's a better fit for rotary instruments, IMHO. I'm not much of a fan of the 24AW

That said I had a chance to play a 661 for a few weeks before doing some major operations on one... it’s fantastic. I ended up liking my Yamaha Self model better than the stock MP (which I own several of).

Because of the rather short leadpipe for a rotary, I'd try out a Yamaha CB or a Helleberg if I were you. Might work, might work like crap. But with the capacious bore and the short leadpipe...

J.c.S.

[PaulTkachenko]

Sounds like I was correct to assume I could do better than a 24AW for this tuba. I think I'll order the stock mouthpiece and give it a shot. It may also work better for my helicon, which also doesn't really like the 24AW.

The 661 is, however, a proper joy to play. I'm not sure why Yamaha stopped it. The tuning seems so good that I hardly use the 5th valve, so it being on the left hand isn't much of an issue.

The thing is built like a tank and weighs like one too, but that's kind of reassuring after owning a few dent magnets (Cerveny's just couldn't come out of the case!)

I might wait a bit and see if anyone chips in. I realise it's a very subjective thing, but it's very useful to read what other people think/have found.

[T. J. Ricer]

I've had a lot of success on this model with the Blokepiece symphony.

I always thought this was an under-appreciated horn; it's great for touring, as it really is a much bigger horn than it seems, but still comes in under weight/size requirements for airlines. Kind of like having an extremely tightly coiled Alexander 163... of course, YMMV.

--T. J.


between an Rudy and a PT6, Gnageyphone in the back