TubaForum.net

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?

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.

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.)

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.

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

Really nice, Snake Charmer. That’s the way to bring the tuba to you and make yourself “at home.”

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)

Excellent, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the feedback.

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!