Spit

[Mary Ann]

Yes that is with a "p" and not an "h" !!

The fourth valve tubing of my CC gathers water and it does not come out the spit valve in "normal use." Gets to the point of burbling, just like a horn does. I'm not sure how I got it out yesterday, finally, because I removed the 4th tuning slide (LONG slide,) rotated the tuba all over the place, turned it upside down, and finally got out a good tablespoon of water. However, I can't do that in the middle of a rehearsal and it is physically difficult for me. The only thing I can think of is to get a JoyKey put on that slide. (I had one in place of the removed-by-previous-owner spit valve on the NStar, and was totally happy with how it worked, although I had to keep a drip rag under that spot.)

Any other ideas? Obviously another spit valve would work, but the JoyKey works all by itself, and, despite appearances, does not perceptibly leak air.

[windshieldbug]

Employ a Tuba Spinner whose job it would be to manipulate the tuba for you during rehearsals. If pianists can use Page Turners while playing, I see nothing wrong with such an arrangement…

[Mary Ann]

As so often happens in the workplace, are you volunteering?

[Three Valves]

RATS!

If it were not for distance, I would joyfully volunteer.

[Mary Ann]

Well, since you live in the Land of Pleasant Living, perhaps I can relocate there from the Land Of The Infinite Blast Furnace, so you can be my Tuba Spinner and I can wear clothing during the summer months.

[donn]

It's a dry heat, though, isn't it?

Anyway, there's an element of mystery to the flow of condensate here.

I'm not sure how I got it out yesterday, finally, because I removed the 4th tuning slide (LONG slide,) rotated the tuba all over the place, turned it upside down, and finally got out a good tablespoon of water.

It seems clear enough that a key on the tuning slide won't help if the water had been there at the time. If you knew where to put the water key, I'd expect you to know the sequence of positions necessary to get the water out.

Speaking of heat, another approach would be to maintain the 4th valve circuit at a temperature warmer than incoming air. Probably 90°F would be more than adequate. That also seems like it could be comfy when you're not wearing any clothing, as long as you don't overdo it on the heat.

[iiipopes]

My Jupiter JTU1110 had the same issue with the 2nd valve circuit. I don't know if it is the design of the circuit (straight out, not angled up to help natural drainage of condensation), the way I blow, hold the horn, the 30-minute drive to rehearsal that allows the tuba to get cold and be susceptible to condensation, or whatever, but last season I found myself constantly pulling and dumping the second valve slide. So during the break I sent the slide off to have my tech install a water key. Perfect. It now drains properly with minimal fuss or bother.

[Nworbekim]

that is aggravating. my king does that and i've not completely solved the pattern but sometimes i have to spin it one direction part of the way and roll it then spin it the other direction all the way around. crazy... but there's a flood when i do.

[2nd tenor]

I don’t know of a perfect answer and one has to know just where the water is settling too. If you can figure out the later then Amado water valves are compact (so easy to site) and IIRC they don’t particularly leak - not that fast to drain though and I prefer traditional water keys. Good luck.

https://www.ferreestoolsinc.com/product ... -water-key

[donn]

my king does that

When I had a 1240 or whatever it was, the problem I noticed was at one end of the first valve tubing, where there's a tight bend next to the valve that collects the condensed water. It may bother some players more and others less, depending on how we hold the tuba while playing - if more or less vertical, probably wouldn't be a problem at all.

Something I bought used came with an Amado key. I sealed it up, because I don't like a wet sleeve and I don't like playing with a plastic bag over the valve tubing. Now I have to pull the main tuning slide to drain, but it's better than the Amado.

[Mary Ann]

It's a dry heat, though, isn't it?

Anyway, there's an element of mystery to the flow of condensate here.

I'm not sure how I got it out yesterday, finally, because I removed the 4th tuning slide (LONG slide,) rotated the tuba all over the place, turned it upside down, and finally got out a good tablespoon of water.

It seems clear enough that a key on the tuning slide won't help if the water had been there at the time. If you knew where to put the water key, I'd expect you to know the sequence of positions necessary to get the water out.

Speaking of heat, another approach would be to maintain the 4th valve circuit at a temperature warmer than incoming air. Probably 90°F would be more than adequate. That also seems like it could be comfy when you're not wearing any clothing, as long as you don't overdo it on the heat.

Well, you see, the tuning slide pulls out up, like a typical 1st slide; and the bends are not a simple pattern. So just upending it without some kind of complicated turning doesn't get the water into the part that can be pulled, plus it's a bit of a hassle for me to first put it on the bell and then pull that REALLY long slide with the valve trying to suck it back in (good valves on it.) I'm sure the audience would be "interested" if I found way to keep naked body heat on that tubing while wearing concert dress (maybe battery operated heat tape is a more functional idea?) However, I have no argument with your science, that the water condenses at that point where the temperature of the tubing is at the dew point of the air going through it (try emptying a horn in various temperatures.) In winter my house is at 60, more or less, because I already own lots of clothing and prefer to wear it rather than pay for heat. I really do think putting a JoyKey on the tubing where I THINK the water is, somewhere down in the bends, would fix the problem, but once the weather warms up, that will no longer be an issue, because I keep the house at 80 in the summer.

I don't get water out of the spit valve on the Eb; I pull the mouthpiece and tip it down to my left and the water runs out the leadpipe, but it also takes a bit of tipping from side to side to get it there. It's not as unwieldy as the 184 and doesn't bother me.

[2nd tenor]

Just picking up on a comment.

It’s up to individuals what they do but as general advice 65F / 18C is a recommended minimum temperature here in the UK, my own home is set for a degree or two warmer than that and I know from experience that going more than a little below 18C in the home starts to adversely effect well-being. YMMV.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/lucy-verasamy/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-h ... keep-well/

[Nworbekim]

even my 186 needs a spin occasionally... i produce a LOT of spit when i play. to the point i carry puppy pads in my backpack to put on the floor under me. at home, i have a vinyl tray like a dish drainer that catches it.