Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Leaky Valves


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Posted by Paul Scott on July 07, 2000 at 09:45:04:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Leaky Valves posted by MF on July 07, 2000 at 08:14:45:

While you're checking the corks, felts, and guides check the stems, as well. I've seen some tubas with stems that are too short to open the piston ports to the casing correctly. Also, check if the valve finger buttons are original as this can affect the length of the valve "throw". A repairman can check this alignemnt with a special tool, but you can do it yourself by 1) removing the second valve piston and spring, 2) sticking a finger through the second valve casing into the first valve port and feeling it with the first valve up; then down. You should be able to feel if the piston and casing ports line up properly as long as the valves are big enough and your fingers small enough! I know the stock stems on my 1936 Martin were too short with the stock buttons but worked perfectly with York buttons, (go figure!). Hope this was coherent enough to be useful.


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