4th valve on Eastman Eb

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fsgazda
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4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by fsgazda »

So, I have an unusually short pinky, and the 4th valve on my Eastman Eb is just a pain to each. I have to change my hand position and it's not comfortable at all. So what are my options?

Are there large valve buttons for an Eastman? Or should I look for a custom extra large 4th valve button?

Thoughts?


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matt g
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by matt g »

I think Art Hovey made an extension of sorts for one of his instruments years ago. A search of the web might yield some photos.
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by MiBrassFS »

If you take the top caps from an (Eastman) 832 CC (They have “York style” caps) and replace the caps on your Eb, you can use the extra big buttons from the 836 CC. I’ve done this on both the Eb and a 632 CC. (Got this one from a nice fella named Paul Chadbourne at Shires.)

The other thing you can do is pop out the pearl on your fourth button and glue or preferably solder a quarter on it in your optimal position to make an extension . I’ve done this as well on a B&S tuba. (There’s a ridge that retains the pearl that will have be filed off in the spot you want to attach the quarter.) Lots of fancy quarters available lately.

(I edited this to add a couple things to my original post.)
Last edited by MiBrassFS on Wed Jun 05, 2024 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by Sousaswag »

Extensions exist. They’re not pretty, but they are functional.

I’d echo the above post. Either get OEM 836 stuff, or have someone like Martin Wilk or Keith Polito make you some oversize buttons.
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by Snake Charmer »

On my Eastman Eb I have the 4th valve modified for using it with the left hand. After decades of playing 3+x valves I couldn't get used to fingering big valves with the pinky
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by MiBrassFS »

Really nice, Snake Charmer. That’s the way to bring the tuba to you and make yourself “at home.”
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by LeMark »

Snake Charmer wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2024 11:05 pm On my Eastman Eb I have the 4th valve modified for using it with the left hand. After decades of playing 3+x valves I couldn't get used to fingering big valves with the pinky

Very nice! Have you seen the new wessex Eb? Looks like it would be right up your alley. (it actually plays really nice, I'm just not a 3+1 guy)
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by fsgazda »

Excellent, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the feedback.
Dr. Frank Gazda
Professor of Music, Delaware State University

Shires 7YLW F/Gb/D Thayer valve bass trombone, Doug Elliott 112.L.L8
Shires 7YM tenor trombone, DE XT106.G.G8
SE Shires Q41 euphonium, DE XT106.I.I8
Eastman EBE 853 Eb tuba, DE TU 130N.P.P16
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb

Post by Snake Charmer »

Very nice! Have you seen the new wessex Eb? Looks like it would be right up your alley. (it actually plays really nice, I'm just not a 3+1 guy)
Too bad they didn't had it when I was looking for in 2020!
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