Posted by Lee Stofer on February 13, 2002 at 12:02:12:
In Reply to: Cork for valves posted by Justin Beish on February 11, 2002 at 00:08:59:
Visit your local instrument repairman. Different tubas use different size stop arm corks, so I cut them from rod cork, sometimes called stick cork. I also have synthetic alternatives that work better in some situations. In the past I've tried wine bottle corks, etc., but the quality and durability of those were generally disappointing. Musical instrument repair suppliers actually shop the world cork market, and get some of the top-grade cork in the world for their products.
-Lee Stofer