Posted by Eric Howard on September 19, 2002 at 21:00:24:
I've just recently acquired a used Yamaha 201 BBb tuba. It plays okay and has good intonation, but about 50% of the time it starts to make this "death rattle." I think it may be partially due to a bad cork on the water key, although temporary patches with a balloon or putty don't always seem to help. On other used horns I've had buzzes develop from "stuff" (i.e., papers, packing peanuts, old band candy forms, etc.) caught inside the horn. However, trying to wash it out hasn't produced anything so far.
any suggestions out there?