Posted by Art H on July 09, 2002 at 22:50:57:
I often pull my second valve slide when I use 2 & 4, but pushing it back in sometimes is awkward. I have already made it loose enough to move easily but not enough to fall out, and have tied a loop of string to prevent it from coming out too far. Wandering through a "cheap stuff" store I found some 18" bungee cords and the bulb went on over my head. With two pairs of pliers it was easy to remove the metal hooks from the ends of the cord; then I tied it onto the tuba with string and adjusted it so that it pulls the slide back for me almost silently. It works amazingly well, and does not rattle the way a metal spring would. I have been using it for about a month now and it shows no signs of deterioration yet. Perhaps I am not the first to use bungee cord, but I have not seen it used in this way before. Anybody have a better idea?