Stringing rotors on tuba

[Tubaryan12]

It's that time again. What do you guys use? Anyone using fishing line? If so, what pound test?

[Ace]

Just restrung my French horn rotors. Yamaha string.

Ace

[Mark Horne]

Been using the Allied black horn string - 50lb test. Resists stretching or binding and is not too thick.

[Dan Schultz]

Been using the Allied black horn string - 50lb test. Resists stretching or binding and is not too thick.

+1. I don't like the Yamaha yellow stuff cause it's too fat! The black stuff from Allied I suspect is just very heavy bait casting fishing line. Coat the about 1/2" on one end with Super Glue to make it stiff so it can be threaded through the holes.

Make sure those holes are free of burrs and this string should last for a very long time. Also... make sure the string doesn't 'criss-cross' and rub together anywhere.

[Tubaryan12]

I watched a horn guy's video and he suggested the 50 lb string for his horns. I believe that another Tubenettizen says he uses 80 lb line on tuba rotors. The Yamaha string is kinda pricey for what you get. I'd rather spend the $10 bucks on a small spool and never have to worry about it again.

Dan,

I've seen some instructions that say to cross the string for stability. I take it you don't follow that school of thought?

[Dan Schultz]

I watched a horn guy's video and he suggested the 50 lb string for his horns. I believe that another Tubenettizen says he uses 80 lb line on tuba rotors. The Yamaha string is kinda pricey for what you get. I'd rather spend the $10 bucks on a small spool and never have to worry about it again.

Dan,

I've seen some instructions that say to cross the string for stability. I take it you don't follow that school of thought?

I would never cross the string if it causes it to rub together. That rubbing could abrade the string. It could also slow things down. That's probably not an issue on the Marzan tubas since the string lever stays perpendicular to the stop arm. On many other horns the lever arm is at a fixed angle and rides up and down as the lever is moved.

[Walter Webb]

There's a braided dacron 50 lb test fishing line that is tough and non stretchable as it gets. It comes in black.

[PaulMaybery]

50 lb 'squid line' from a fishing shop. (got mine when I lived on the east coast) "Yes" to super glue on the ends for threading.Thanks for that tip Dan. Used the same spool for 40 years. (well not the same piece) Probably wouldn't hurt to have a couple of pre-cut lengths with a knot on one end and glue on the other in your bag. (Never had it break though.) I had more issues with the screws loosening and the string shifting. So it seemed wise to carry a small screw driver with all the junk.

[ScottM]

I have used 50# braided line on my wife's French horn for years. I replaced it once a year when I cleaned it. Never had it break. She always carries a little kit on stage with string and screwdriver so she could fix it. I gave a couple of these kits to kids at church who play horn along with a diagram of how to do it. They thought it was funny but I did get a written thank you from one of them.
ScottM

[Tubaryan12]

Thank to all that answered. I may try to find the 50 lb line this weekend. It is difficult to get the Yamaha string around the Marzan screws, so the thinner line may help.

[Dan Schultz]

50 lb 'squid line' from a fishing shop. (got mine when I lived on the east coast) "Yes" to super glue on the ends for threading.Thanks for that tip Dan. Used the same spool for 40 years. (well not the same piece) Probably wouldn't hurt to have a couple of pre-cut lengths with a knot on one end and glue on the other in your bag. (Never had it break though.) I had more issues with the screws loosening and the string shifting. So it seemed wise to carry a small screw driver with all the junk.

Great minds thing alike, Paul! I've always carried some pieces of string pre-knotted and the other end stiffened with Super-Glue in my mouthpiece bag. I've been playing a slant-rotor for better than five years and never broken a string... until two weeks ago. Fortunately it was just a rehearsal. I'm pretty quick at stringing rotors and I don't think I missed any more than about 32 bars!

I added a couple of O-rings above and below the string path that eliminates the 'hop' in the string bar and seems to have cured the problem of the string loosening and coming off the stop arm.

[Tubaryan12]

Went to Fin Feather Fur Outfitters yesterday. I found 50 lb and 80 lb test braided line, but it was Teflon coated. Is the line you guys use Teflon coated?

[windshieldbug]

50 lb 'squid line' from a fishing shop. (got mine when I lived on the east coast) "Yes" to super glue on the ends for threading.Thanks for that tip Dan. Used the same spool for 40 years. (well not the same piece) Probably wouldn't hurt to have a couple of pre-cut lengths with a knot on one end and glue on the other in your bag. (Never had it break though.) I had more issues with the screws loosening and the string shifting. So it seemed wise to carry a small screw driver with all the junk.

Great minds thing alike, Paul! I've always carried some pieces of string pre-knotted and the other end stiffened with Super-Glue in my mouthpiece bag. I've been playing a slant-rotor for better than five years and never broken a string... until two weeks ago. Fortunately it was just a rehearsal. I'm pretty quick at stringing rotors and I don't think I missed any more than about 32 bars!

After having a 'mishap' in rehearsal, not only did I do all that, but drilled extra holes in the string bar and had a second set of strings pre-loaded with a screwdriver on hand in a horn pencil clip. I did have them break during performances, but minimized the damage to a couple of bars of rests. Got to add some extra excitement! (but those string linkages are QUIET!).

After it didn't matter any more I had it converted to bearings...

[Dan Schultz]

Went to Fin Feather Fur Outfitters yesterday. I found 50 lb and 80 lb test braided line, but it was Teflon coated. Is the line you guys use Teflon coated?

I don't think the stuff I use is Teflon coated. That might make some difference in whether the end can be stiffened with Super-Glue for easy threading.

I'm guessing the string that Allied sells is just plain old 50# braided bait casting line... probably Dacron or some other synthetic. I know it melts easily if exposed to soldering temperature. The diameter is about .031". I use a three loop barrel knot in the end opposite the stiffened end.

[Tubaryan12]

Thanks Dan. I found at least one brand at Dicks Sporting Goods that only appeared to be lightly waxed (their words) in 50 lb, 300 yards for $17

[Dan Schultz]

Thanks Dan. I found at least one brand at Dicks Sporting Goods that only appeared to be lightly waxed (their words) in 50 lb, 300 yards for $17

That ought to keep you going for at least a couple of years!