HB1-P valve springs

[tubameister]

I own an old Hirsbrunner HB1-P and the valves are in great condition, but pushing them down takes a little more effort than I wish it did. I’m thinking maybe new valve springs might help this. The ones in their are very old and seem pretty stiff. Is my thought right? I’ve read that people like to use Yamaha Euphonium valve springs on their tubas. Is this worth looking into? Thank you for any help you may be able to offer!

[bloke]

The Yamaha euphonium springs are probably plenty strong for old smaller Nirschl valves, which you probably have.

I would still rate them as marginally strong enough for the large valves that replaced them.

I would also rate the euphonium springs as strong enough for lighter weight Meinlschmidt aftermarket pistons.

[the elephant]

Bloke pioneered this for the awfully heavy MW "Big Valve" piston set to try and make them less fatiguing to use. They work well with these valves if perhaps a little bit light for my tastes.

I finally tried them in both of my piston horns, both of which have the nicer (IMHO) pistons made by Walter Nirschl and used on a lot of different tubas over the years. These valves are a bit lighter so the fatigue factor is less important. However, I wish I had switched to these springs years ago. While they are a bit too soft for my taste on the Big Valve sets they are wonderful on my Nirschl valve sets.

I think you ought to give them a try. They are under $20 for four.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXFTW8C

[the elephant]

… aaaaand bloke beat me to the punch.

There you go. I gave you the link. Now BUY a set and try them out. They are drop-in replacements for Nirschl-made valves, fitting the relief in the bottom caps nicely.

[tubameister]

Thank you guys so much for your help!

[tubameister]

My new valve springs came in today and I thought I’d give an update. Upon first look I didn’t think they were going to be a good fit because they were quite a bit shorter than the old valve springs. I figured the valves would sag in because of this but I was happily surprised to see that they did not. You can really tell how worn out the old springs were. Thank you so much for your help again!

[the elephant]