TubaForum.net

Are there standard sizes for MAW valves or are they made to order according to the instrument?

Occasionally, Martin has cut the "crotch" out of some stock valves, replaced the horizontal crossport with a piece of tubing, and flattened out the convex distortions in the other two crossports...

...but (in general) I believe the ready-to-wear's fit Markneukirchen .748" bore tubas' current-manufacture casings, and King/Conn5XJ .687" bore tubas' casings...which probably (??) also fit Getzen G/C casings.

Does he have pre-mades for the old Nirschl valves used on the Kalison, Gronitz, Kurath, B&M, York Master, and (pre-Big Valve) Melton horns?

the elephant wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:32 am Does he have pre-mades for the old Nirschl valves used on the Kalison, Gronitz, Kurath, B&M, York Master, and (pre-Big Valve) Melton horns?

My “small valve” 2165 has MAW valves. So I know the design exists, but not if there is on-the-shelf inventory.

matt g wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:55 amMy “small valve” 2165 has MAW valves. So I know the design exists, but not if there is on-the-shelf inventory.

Ah, something of substance to inquire about. THANK YOU!

also of substance (ie. "source materials", rather than suppositions or off-topic)

...I emailed Martin with the link to this thread, and asked him to register here and discuss options.

the elephant wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:53 am

matt g wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:55 amMy “small valve” 2165 has MAW valves. So I know the design exists, but not if there is on-the-shelf inventory.

Ah, something of substance to inquire about. THANK YOU!

Wade, I put up some photos of it for the sake of content on the IG account a while back:

He did respond to my email.
He stated that he really doesn't like to post on the internet (which I already knew) but that he'll consider it.

I don't remember by who, but I heard he could "MAW-ify" any valve.

LargeTuba wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:40 pm I don't remember by who, but I heard he could "MAW-ify" any valve.

bloke wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 12:06 pm Occasionally, Martin has cut the "crotch" out of some stock valves, replaced the horizontal crossport with a piece of tubing, and flattened out the convex distortions in the other two crossports...

Guess I should read better

I asked Martin about two years ago if he could make a set of pistons for my Wessex Chicago Presence (and Chicago York, same valveset) and the response I got back via email was "No". That was the entire message. I presumed at that point he didn't really care for emails and message boards, among other things.

Martin un-Rotaxed my Rotax valves for rotary Willson. It was an amazing difference to the response, lightness of touch, and low register.

Horn was still way top heavy and bad ergonomics. But played and sounded great! Probably sold it too soon!

I’m pretty sure that those pistons work in JP C & F instruments, if someone is willing to relocate guide holes and tap 3mm threads on the MAW pistons at the JP locations. To avoid having two sets of guide holes, it might be a good idea to order them with no guide holes for JP applications.

If anyone remembers the Wiseman PT-6P copies, my experience was that MAW pistons almost fit, but were barely too small - in their diameter - for Wiseman.
I suspect (???) that someone could send their Wiseman pistons to Martin, he could measure the outer diameter, and could have Meinlschmidt make a set of his pistons in that diameter (special order / no refund).

bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:34 am He did respond to my email.
He stated that he really doesn't like to post on the internet (which I already knew) but that he'll consider it.

He did not respond to mine. Oh well...

Doc wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:37 am

bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:34 am He did respond to my email.
He stated that he really doesn't like to post on the internet (which I already knew) but that he'll consider it.

He did not respond to mine. Oh well...

In my experience:
* It took some time to hear back from him
* Reachable by phone as well
* Sort of a grouch by email, grouchier by phone (not generalizing, but that was my experience)
* ^ Related to this... what am I paying him for? To be cheerful or to do stuff with tuba valves? :)

Keep at it!

And what do you have in mind, anyway? I thought you were all rotary right now...?

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:54 am

Doc wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:37 am

bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:34 am He did respond to my email.
He stated that he really doesn't like to post on the internet (which I already knew) but that he'll consider it.

He did not respond to mine. Oh well...

In my experience:
* It took some time to hear back from him
* Reachable by phone as well
* Sort of a grouch by email, grouchier by phone (not generalizing, but that was my experience)
* ^ Related to this... what am I paying him for? To be cheerful or to do stuff with tuba valves? :)

Keep at it!

And what do you have in mind, anyway? I thought you were all rotary right now...?

The only pistons I have are the helicon, Conn 20J, and a euphonium. I was curious if he simply makes "standard" valves, if he makes custom sets, etc. Plus, I had questions about the lightweight buttons and stems.

If he's an old grouch, that's fine. If he doesn't want my business, that's fine, too. There's nothing he sells that I need that badly. I had considered acquiring some different buttons to go on the helicon sometime in the future, but that would simply be for my own enjoyment - and I can seek "enjoyment" elsewhere.

Just to be clear, because I'm not trying to smear anyone here... I'm only saying that he didn't particularly seem interested in chit-chat and was very down to business. He was plenty nice, and plenty interested... just plenty concise, as well. Contrast to someone like Lee Stofer, where I pretty much need to budget a good 30+ minutes when I call him. Both ways, all good! Just letting you know what I would expect, based on my previous interactions.