YBB-103

[Sandlapper]

I got asked to write a small grant (last minute thing with only a day to work on before it has to be turned in). Can you tell me the time frame Yamaha made the YBB-103. We have two that need repairs and it might be helpful to say how old the horns are.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

John

[Dan Schultz]

1976 to 1992.

These horns are the same as the Holton BB662R tubas.

[Sandlapper]

Thanks for the information on the horns. These two horn show up for practice and concerts faithfully. All parts are present and accounted for, just a little stubbornly stuck. One is just a tad flat sided on the bottom bow and outside of bugle through the joint that joins them and has a slide stuck. The other avoids leaking from the water key by a large wad of folded toilet paper held in place by the water key. It's player pulls a valve to empty the water because all of the slides are stuck. Both actually sound pretty good and are worth trying to preserve. They are both just a little long overdue for some TLC. I have just not been able to find any history on them locally. I would guess they were bought through some music store in state when a middle school band decided to up grade years ago.

Again, thanks so much for the information.

John

[Dan Schultz]

Can you still get the brass wire, or is it the stick-on plastic stuff now? I remember you commenting on that a few years back. I have not worked on any new-ish Conn sousaphones and have yet to experience this stuff.

Allied sells the 'sousaphone-sized' brass guard wire.

I use some of the 'stick-on' stuff but buy it from an automotive trim shop.

[SousaSaver]

You can also have them add that same wire to the upper bow where they all seem to get punched in the nose.

FOR SURE!

[SousaSaver]

Can you still get the brass wire, or is it the stick-on plastic stuff now? I remember you commenting on that a few years back. I have not worked on any new-ish Conn sousaphones and have yet to experience this stuff.

Allied sells the 'sousaphone-sized' brass guard wire.

I use some of the 'stick-on' stuff but buy it from an automotive trim shop.

Both Strege at Badger and Conn-Selmer have stick on guards. For new metal guard wire I use Allied's. Conn-Selmer also sells guard wire lengths but I think that the Allied stuff is more durable. Just my opinion...

Also, Yamaha no longer makes the mouth pipe for the YBB-105. If it is trashed or rotted out you have to bend one yourself...

[SousaSaver]

- Stick-on vinyl guard wire BARELY makes it through three month season of marching when stuck to a sousaphone.
- As a tuba is cradled across it's player's legs, I can't imagine those stick-ons lasting for more than a week of that sort of pushing and pulling.
- I'm not sure that I'd install a (brass) guard wire on the upper bow of a school-owned 103. As often as it will be knocked over, guard wire on the upper bow will prevent a magnet tool from doing all of the good it could otherwise do.

Yup...you're right. I only ever use the "peel and stick" wire on the odd Conn or King from a narrow time period that would have ALL FACTORY peel and stick wires just so it matches. These are few and far between for me...

I didn't think about magnet work after the fact. That's exactly right.

[Dan Schultz]

....

Also, Yamaha no longer makes the mouth pipe for the YBB-105. If it is trashed or rotted out you have to bend one yourself...

I understand that someone (perhaps Allied) is in the process of making the replacement leadpipes for the YBB-103 tubas. However, if the 103 needs a piston... you are SOL. The GOOD thing about those pistons is that all three are identical. No need to search for a specific 1, 2, or 3.