Posted by js on October 09, 2002 at 16:12:55:
The "old style" Weril instruments had "pin"-style valve guides with a white plastic disc, brass pin, and a black rubber three-footed bumper (which fits "just so" underneath the white plastic disc). The problem is the black rubber three-footed bumper getting hard and noisy after a few months of use. Dealers can still (for a while) get replacements for these, but they well have the same noise problem, eventually.
AGAIN, THIS IS ONLY FOR OLD STYLE WERIL INSTRUMENTS WITH PIN-STYLE VALVE GUIDES. THE NEW WERIL INSTRUMENTS WITH "SLOT" GUIDES DO NOT HAVE THIS MINOR NOISE PROBLEM.
Here is a very good solution:
- Purchase some synthetic under-cap piston bumpers from Boosey & Hawkes. (These are similar [identical?] to those found on Hirsbrunner and Willson piston tubas.) You will need part # E-2344.
- Once received, use a multiple-size (dial-a-size) hole punch, such as an Osborne (made in England). Using the smallest size punch on the dial, punch a hole in your E-2344 synthetic bumper right next to the outside edge of the bumper.
- Finally, using a D.E.G. "trueing tool" (normally intended for mouthpiece repair), heat up the small end of trueing tool with a torch. Insert the heated trueing tool into the center hole of the E-2344 and "melt" the hole just enough larger so that it will not drag on the valve stem.
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