Amado Water Keys

[Tubajug]

Do they come in various sizes or is are they the same all around?

Would this one work to replace the missing water key on my Eb tuba? I figure the hole is already on my horn, so I could just solder this on and have a simpler time installing it than a "normal" water key.

[GC]

You might consider this: http://www.pollardwaterkey.com/. It's a bit bigger than the Amado and won't stick like the Amados often will.

[Lee Stofer]

Amado water keys were designed for trumpets, and circa .500" bore trombones.

I have occasionally put them on euphoniums and Eb tubas, but it needs to be modified so that the curvature of the Amado will fit the larger tube, and I also drill it out just a little so that it will provide enough drainage to be effective.

I personally really do not like to use them on tubas, as they are at least borderline-, if not way too small to evacuate the water from a large instrument.

A push-buttom water key about 3 to 4 times the size of an Amado would be nice for low brass instruments.

[Alex C]

I believe any metal-to-metal water key that has enough clearance to be moved, has enough clearance to leak air.

I try to avoid them.

[Bignick1357]

I have 3 on my 822 and they honestly are just there for decoration I will sometimes be able to get a little out of my main tuning slide but the other 2 are just for decoration at this point and time.

[Tubajug]

Thanks for all the input! I didn't realize water keys were such a "hot" topic to be debated. I was hoping it would be something I could order (or get off ebay) and install myself to save some more money.

I know I got this tuba cheap, but I still hate paying the same price for a water key (or any other part) as I did for the horn...

[PaulTkachenko]

I'm happy with the amado I have on my 621 F on the main slide.

It means I don't keep opening the water key with my leg (which is what used to happen)