Ultrasonic Cleaning? Will It Fix My Valve(s)?

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

Without going too much into detail...I recently purchased a Kalison Pro 2000 that has not been properly cleaned in a while. It has a fair amount of resistance in the fourth valve when I play low G, Gb, and F and there is a little resistance in the fifth valve. All 4 pistons are vented, while the rotor is not. Regardless to the stuffiness with the 4th valve, I want to get it ultrasonically cleaned, make it look all new and fancy-like, but I still can't figure out what is wrong with the darned 4th valve. I took it in to the shop to fix a flared tuning pipe and the repair tech couldn't diagnose what was wrong with the valve either. I'm wondering if it could be a calcium build up, or the valve could be out of alignment, but I don't know much about what can go wrong with valves . Other than the stuffiness in those three notes, the horn plays beautiful in all registers; I recently auditioned for an ensemble using a part of the Gregson Tuba Concerto's 1st movement and it played just fine.


Any help/theories related to my valve problem will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Kevin

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

He said that with the valves being vented, he couldn't check compression, for any leaks.

[bort]

Regardless, having it fully cleaned, serviced, aligned is a good idea. If it hasn't been serviced in a while, I'd bet that the felts are shot, and the valve isn't properly aligned when it's pressed down (but since open notes are okay, the valve alignment is probably okay in that direction).

You may also consider a PVAK or "Blokewashers" or some other synthetic solution, so there is less degradation over time.

The rotor can be misaligned too... on my Rudy Meinl, the difference before and after servicing (including needing a valve alignment) was shocking.

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

I purchased a set of Bloke washers, well... I put the check in the mail for them..., but I still need to find a place that offers ultrasonic cleaning in southern/ northern California. Any knowledge about shops that offer the service would be nice. Google failed me width that one.

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

No, he didn't check... I just got off the phone with Sawday and Holmes in long beach, they gave me a quote for the cleaning and some minor dent removal in the bottom bow. I'll have them check the alignment when I bring it in.

[ppalan]

There's another recent thread about problems with Ultrasonic cleaning. Since there seems to be questions about how safe that is, especially if the tech isn't knowledgeable or careful, wouldn't chem cleaning be an alternative. Does this present the same danger of things being knocked loose or do the same questions apply? I've never had my horns ultrasonically cleaned. I've had them chem cleaned several times with no ill effects. I know of course you still need a knowledgeable and careful person doing it.

Pete

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

I have already received a quote from the tech who repaired my tuning pipes, it was about $70 more than what I was told the ultrasonic would cost. But I have weighed the options between Chem and Ultrasonic cleaning. I think I'm going to take a leap of faith and hope that no major problems arise after the cleaning.

[Tom]

There's another recent thread about problems with Ultrasonic cleaning. Since there seems to be questions about how safe that is, especially if the tech isn't knowledgeable or careful, wouldn't chem cleaning be an alternative. Does this present the same danger of things being knocked loose or do the same questions apply? I've never had my horns ultrasonically cleaned. I've had them chem cleaned several times with no ill effects. I know of course you still need a knowledgeable and careful person doing it.

Pete

It turned out to be a corrosion issue, not an ultrasonic cleaning issue that was to blame for the issue in the other ultrasonic cleaning thread.

I've had both ultrasonic cleaning and chemical cleaning done on my tubas over the years. Maybe it was just a better tech doing the ultrasonic, but I always felt as though the instrument was cleaner after ultrasonic cleaning than chemical cleaning.

I am also of the opinion that unless the cleaning solution used is unnecessarily strong, that ultrasonic cleaning is safer for your instrument. A lot of damage can be done via an improper chemical cleaning, whereas the risk of damage from ultrasonic cleaning is minimal or perhaps even non-existent.

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

Thanks a bunch for all of your input on my predicament. When I have the scratch I'll take it in to get all the dents in the bottom bow taken out, the valves aligned (if they aren't already ), and get it ultrasonically cleaned.

If my teacher, a giant stick in the mud, trusts them, I'm sure they'll take good care of my horn.

[MartyNeilan]

If you get the bloke washers, they will do wonders for the alignment of the valves and make the horn play much better.

Never underestimate what a tub of warm soapy water, a long cleaning snake, and some "elbow grease" can do.

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

If you get the bloke washers, they will do wonders for the alignment of the valves and make the horn play much better.

Never underestimate what a tub of warm soapy water, a long cleaning snake, and some "elbow grease" can do.

Well, Ill probable update this once I put the bloke washers on, but I think ill pass on the "elbow grease" and go for the more traditional/lazy approach and get it fully serviced.

[Tuba Guy]

Oh, you have Doug/Garrett's old horn! Enjoy it, I spent 2 glorious years sitting next to that horn. It has always been a little constrictive on the low notes. My personal opinion (no way sponsored by the bbc, tubenet, or anyone who knows anything) is that since the 4th valve would have benefited from a larger bore to allow more air through. That said, if you backed off a bit, the low notes can sing. Then, you just coax a few more dB out of it.
As far as repair, go up to Tim's Music in Sacramento. They have an ultrasonic cleaner and most importantly, good, competent staff. Since it seems you're in the Bay Area like me, try to avoid the temptation of Best. Ever since Dick Ackright retired, it is not a place where you want your instruments. Plus no ultrasonic cleaner. Anyway, Tim's is the best thing in northern CA.
Enjoy that tuba...I think it sounded good with a PT-48, if you wanted to try what had been successful for my friend.

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

That said, if you backed off a bit, the low notes can sing. Then, you just coax a few more dB out of it.
Enjoy that tuba...I think it sounded good with a PT-48, if you wanted to try what had been successful for my friend.

I do have to back off a lot to get the note(s) to come out clear, I'm still learning the low low end on the horn, but I love the thing to death. As for MP choice, I've been using a Miraphone TU33, it really controls the horn well and allows for a huge range of dynamic control. Thanks for a little bit of history behind my horn. I'm going to take it to Sawday and Holmes in the beginning of October (the only 2 days my school schedule lines up with).