So, I have an unusually short pinky, and the 4th valve on my Eastman Eb is just a pain to each. I have to change my hand position and it's not comfortable at all. So what are my options?
Are there large valve buttons for an Eastman? Or should I look for a custom extra large 4th valve button?
Thoughts?
4th valve on Eastman Eb
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4th valve on Eastman Eb
Dr. Frank Gazda
Professor of Music, Delaware State University
Shires 7YLW F/Gb/D Thayer valve bass trombone, Doug Elliott 112.L.L8
Shires 7YM tenor trombone, DE XT106.G.G8
SE Shires Q41 euphonium, DE XT106.I.I8
Eastman EBE 853 Eb tuba, DE TU 130N.P.P16
Professor of Music, Delaware State University
Shires 7YLW F/Gb/D Thayer valve bass trombone, Doug Elliott 112.L.L8
Shires 7YM tenor trombone, DE XT106.G.G8
SE Shires Q41 euphonium, DE XT106.I.I8
Eastman EBE 853 Eb tuba, DE TU 130N.P.P16
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matt g
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
I think Art Hovey made an extension of sorts for one of his instruments years ago. A search of the web might yield some photos.
Dillon/Walters CC (sold)
Meinl-Weston 2165 (sold)
Meinl-Weston 2165 (sold)
Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
If you take the top caps from an (Eastman) 832 CC (They have “York style” caps) and replace the caps on your Eb, you can use the extra big buttons from the 836 CC. I’ve done this on both the Eb and a 632 CC. (Got this one from a nice fella named Paul Chadbourne at Shires.)
The other thing you can do is pop out the pearl on your fourth button and glue or preferably solder a quarter on it in your optimal position to make an extension . I’ve done this as well on a B&S tuba. (There’s a ridge that retains the pearl that will have be filed off in the spot you want to attach the quarter.) Lots of fancy quarters available lately.
(I edited this to add a couple things to my original post.)
The other thing you can do is pop out the pearl on your fourth button and glue or preferably solder a quarter on it in your optimal position to make an extension . I’ve done this as well on a B&S tuba. (There’s a ridge that retains the pearl that will have be filed off in the spot you want to attach the quarter.) Lots of fancy quarters available lately.
(I edited this to add a couple things to my original post.)
Last edited by MiBrassFS on Wed Jun 05, 2024 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
Extensions exist. They’re not pretty, but they are functional.
I’d echo the above post. Either get OEM 836 stuff, or have someone like Martin Wilk or Keith Polito make you some oversize buttons.
I’d echo the above post. Either get OEM 836 stuff, or have someone like Martin Wilk or Keith Polito make you some oversize buttons.
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Willson 3200RZ-5
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Holton 350
Pan-American Eb
King Medium Eb
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Snake Charmer
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
On my Eastman Eb I have the 4th valve modified for using it with the left hand. After decades of playing 3+x valves I couldn't get used to fingering big valves with the pinky
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
Snake Charmer wrote: ↑Wed Jun 05, 2024 11:05 pm On my Eastman Eb I have the 4th valve modified for using it with the left hand. After decades of playing 3+x valves I couldn't get used to fingering big valves with the pinky
Very nice! Have you seen the new wessex Eb? Looks like it would be right up your alley. (it actually plays really nice, I'm just not a 3+1 guy)
Yep, I'm Mark
Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
Excellent, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the feedback.
Dr. Frank Gazda
Professor of Music, Delaware State University
Shires 7YLW F/Gb/D Thayer valve bass trombone, Doug Elliott 112.L.L8
Shires 7YM tenor trombone, DE XT106.G.G8
SE Shires Q41 euphonium, DE XT106.I.I8
Eastman EBE 853 Eb tuba, DE TU 130N.P.P16
Professor of Music, Delaware State University
Shires 7YLW F/Gb/D Thayer valve bass trombone, Doug Elliott 112.L.L8
Shires 7YM tenor trombone, DE XT106.G.G8
SE Shires Q41 euphonium, DE XT106.I.I8
Eastman EBE 853 Eb tuba, DE TU 130N.P.P16
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Snake Charmer
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Re: 4th valve on Eastman Eb
Too bad they didn't had it when I was looking for in 2020!Very nice! Have you seen the new wessex Eb? Looks like it would be right up your alley. (it actually plays really nice, I'm just not a 3+1 guy)
...with a song in my heart!