Euphonium "Kicker" - Where to buy?

[ParLawGod]

I am looking to buy a main tuning slide "kicker" for my euphonium. However, I don't know of any places that sell them. If someone could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[sungfw]

Try here.

[ParLawGod]

Thank you!

[sungfw]

Be sure that any selected INSTALLER has the skills required to ALIGN your main slide prior to installation.

Good point!

Also, FWIW, Steve Mead advises AGAINST adding a kicker to a horn that isn't built with one (see last post in thread).

[ParLawGod]

Thanks for the added info!

[Dan Schultz]

Try here.

I installed one of these linkages on a customer's Besson euph a while back. What 'Bloke' says about properly aligning the slide deserves much attention. While this linkage is adequate, it lacks the ability of being adjusted 'on the fly' by a thumbwheel like the linkage found on the REAL Besson product. You have to take the screw out of one end of the linkage to make adjustments. I made a new tie rod out of a DuBro 'turnbuckle' and incorporated DuBro links on both ends and soldered a knurled thumbwheel to the 'turnbuckle'.

There is a chance that by now, Buffet/Crampon has it's parts program somewhat together and can make Prestige euph parts available... which are waaaaay more robust that the 'kicker' in question.

[ParLawGod]

I have a Besson New Standard euphonium, so I'm guessing that the kicker in question will work for my euph (if properly installed of course). Does anyone know if the kicker in the link will work for a Yamaha 642?

Thanks again for the input everybody, it is greatly appreciated.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

bloke "Most repair-guys - just like auto mechanics - apparently are hacks."

Hey...them's fightin' words!

[tokuno]

I believe he is referring to WORKMANSHIP issues (ref: my post above), rather than whether or not it is APPROPRIATE to install a trigger on an instrument that doesn't have one installed from the factory.

Agreed.
I purchased one of Michigan Music's kickers for my 80s era Besson 967. It was absolutely appropriate to this instrument, and well worth the expenditure.
My initial outlay + the trigger cost was still lower than a replacement used horn of equal quality.
The results have been, well, "relief" is the best description. Much more relaxed playing without having to strain against the intonational tendencies.

However, the installation could probably easily have been terribly botched by a run-of-the-mill tech. Dick Ackright came highly recommended as a master repairman, and he said it was a beast to install properly.