Re: Piston valve problems


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Posted by Art on February 03, 2001 at 23:35:24:

In Reply to: Piston valve problems posted by Bill Jagnow on February 03, 2001 at 20:39:37:

I think Joe is right about the breaking-in period for new pistons. But even when they are well-broken in they still need to be cleaned occasionally. When I find that oil seems to make them worse instead of better I scrub out the inside of the cylinders as well as the pistons with a toothbrush. It works for me, and it's a lot easier than cleaning rotary valves. Incidentally, I have two tubas with identical german valve clusters with stainless steel pistons, or so I was told. I always drink coca cola on jazz jobs, and never have anything but water when I use the other tuba for "legit" work. The jazz valves have required much less attention over the years than the other. It might be due to the coke, or it also might be due to the fact that my tuning slide is in the leadpipe on the coke horn but is after the valves on the other one.


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