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Got this tuba for $100 from some junkyard a few years ago, with a visit to the shop it works well enough!

This is Dillon, a former student of mine that is off at college. That is a hell of a deal on a tuba, but he was texting with me tonight and I was trying to help him diagnose some valve noise, and suggested he post up the questions here. The horn has already been in the shop, but I'm not sure what the did beyond get some dents out.

Welcome to the board Dillon!

That's a heck of a $100 tuba. I miss my old Meinl-Weston CC from the 70s.

Valve noise is either caused by too much slop in the linkages or a worn top bearing in the casing. Both require expertise, unless one is willing to replace the linkages with plastic ball ends (https://www.rickdenney.com/valve_linkages.htm). I absolutely would be, if that’s the problem.

Repairing slop in the casing bearing requires swaging it down with the proper tool and technique. Pro stuff, that, and it seems like most shops that don’t have specialists won’t do it. But there is no alternative except frequent applications of heavy oil.

Reach around and hold the stop arm against the bumper with one hand while wiggling the paddle with the other. That will expose play in the linkage. Then, wiggle the stop arm up and down, and then side to side. Clanking means a worn valve casing that needs to go to a good tech.

Rick “who needs to replace some ball ends in his Hirsbrunner” Denney

Is that a Meinl-Weston 30?

Maybe a 25?


http://fixturesmusicalinstruments.com/2 ... y-to-play/

Looks like a 20.

I think 20, too.

I'll also vote for a Model 20.

Great find, welcome to your tuba (and of course you)! Is a BB flat or CC?
I like Meinl Weston tubas (I have a MW 32 as my secondary CC tuba). The MW 20, 25, 30 and 32 models are fine general purpose tubas.

Best,
Mark

Clearly, I'm going to the wrong junkyards.

This is a BB tuba. I also find that the noise mainly comes from when it hits the rubber stoppers, and this is only present in the 1st and slightly to the 2nd valve. I'm not totally sure though

Dillon sent me pics of the valves and the bumpers look good, but I forgot to ask if the bumpers were soft or hard. If the bumpers were not replaced recently, they could be rock hard