Piston block angle

[arpthark]

I'm out of town playing on a borrowed Conn 2J with the diagonal valve block. Even resting the tuba at an angle, it's killing my wrist.

Conversely, I own a YFB-621 copy with the infamous "wrist-buster" valve angle and I find it very comfortable, immensely more so than the 2J.

2J:



YFB-621 copy:




I really just prefer valve sets that are more or less straight up and down, like B&S style big valves, or any normal rotary valve instrument.

[LeMark]

I'm the opposite, I love an angled valve block.

Remember your wrist is supposed to be straight while you play those things, your arm should pointing up

[arpthark]

I am a shorter guy with a short torso and long arms, so I think I need a block of wood or something to get the 2J at the correct angle. It is still very uncomfortable, even resting on my thighs.

[donn]

Sousaphone blocks are angled, right?

[arpthark]

Standing with a sousaphone is pretty comfortable for me, but sitting with one messes it up and is sort of hard on my wrist. My recent gig on my 36K required me to sit down and play, and I found that out quickly.

[bloke]

' sucks to be you.

[arpthark]

Heh, let me open it up to a question besides my bellyaching: does anyone else find the 45°-ish valve block angle uncomfortable?

@bort2.0, how did you like the angled valves on that old Marzan CC?

[bort2.0]

Heh, let me open it up to a question besides my bellyaching: does anyone else find the 45°-ish valve block angle uncomfortable?

@bort2.0, how did you like the angled valves on that old Marzan CC?

I'll have to find a photo... on the 2J and my Marzan, the first 3 valves are in-line with the leadpipe.

The difference is that your leadpipe seems to be about a 45 degree angle with the bell... And mine was like 30 degrees. So the valves were more horizontal-er.

That made it so that holding the tuba required holding it a little more tilted than usual... which would cause my wrist to be at a weird angle for the valves AND/OR have to deal with the top-heaviness of the detachable bell/valves way up on the tuba.

Played well, sounded nice, but ergonomics were a mess.

I didn't even realize it that at the time, but after some time, I started to get shoulder and back pains, and a sore wrist, and I was like 30 years old so F that I'm outta here... I sold it and got my 188, I couldn't believe how much more comfortable and easier everything was.

Memories...

[bloke]

I see even more belly aching about top action by Americans, and we're not really even expected to play that many notes.

[UncleBeer]

Can only disagree with you on this. Nothing can be worse than that awkward elbow angle which Miraphone forces on folks. I much prefer the angled valve set.

[pjv]

Looks like the score is:
rotary valves 1
piston valves 0

sorry

[donn]

I believe if you see really little people - like 10 years old - playing tuba, they'll appear more comfortable playing top valves. It's the way to go.

[Oedipoes]

I believe if you see really little people - like 10 years old - playing tuba, they'll appear more comfortable playing top valves. It's the way to go.

Not on a Besson BBb 3+1 compensator... they would need to choose either blowing into the mouthpiece or touching the valves, but not at the same time...

[donn]

They would be OK with the top valves part, right?

Right off hand, I don't see the point of that instrument (if it really exists.) Wouldn't the original 3 valve compensating system make more sense there?

[jonesbrass]

I'm out of town playing on a borrowed Conn 2J with the diagonal valve block. Even resting the tuba at an angle, it's killing my wrist.

Conversely, I own a YFB-621 copy with the infamous "wrist-buster" valve angle and I find it very comfortable, immensely more so than the 2J.

. . .


I really just prefer valve sets that are more or less straight up and down, like B&S style big valves, or any normal rotary valve instrument.

Interesting. I’ve owned both these models and haven’t had any issue with either. Agree with Bort . . . How you hold the tuba makes a lot of difference, too . . . Perhaps holding the 2J at more of an angle will help? That way the valves are more vertically oriented.

[iiipopes]

Because I am left-eye dominant, I should be playing an upright valve instrument, which usually means a Besson or Besson-inspired comp. But then unless I sit at the left end of the section, I risk the clank of bells. Maybe that is one reason I prefer outdoor concerts on souzy: it doesn't matter.

[catgrowlB]

I find the angled tuba/sousaphone front piston valves to be comfortable. Same for rosaries.

Top action pistons are gangly/awkward for me. They would be more comfortable if they were lower, on more compact tuba bodies.