TubaForum.net

Hey all,

Been curious about something for a while now and can't seem to find any solid answers.

I play a Meinl Weston Thor, the older model with the small bell. I also use MAW valves. Earlier this year I noticed that the lead pipe has a small kink in it where it bulges out to the sides. The overall cross sectional area seems to be the same as stock but I can't confirm that. I'm not sure if this happened while I owned the tuba or beforehand.

Anyway, I noticed it after coming back from a decently long playing break of about 3 months and I felt much better than before I took time off. The horn is very responsive and doesn't have any major intonation issues. The kicker is this - is the kink in my leadpipe affecting this or did I just get better? I can't remember how the horn felt before the time off, but I bought it for a reason. Even with the kink, it plays really well - Gene Pokorny even said he liked how it played at a masterclass.

Do any of you have experience with this kind of thing improving the playability of the horn? Did I just get extremely lucky or did I just get better at tuba - ie, would the horn feel even better if I got it unkinked? Curious as to your thoughts.

Usually I would say no, it probably won’t improve your instrument if it’s out of round or “kinked”

There are some who believe that a dent in the right spot can improve a horn, but I’m not smart enough nor crazy enough to understand or try it out for myself.

You probably just got better or had a good day on the horn.

Me? I’d get it fixed, but honestly if you like it and it doesn’t look weird then you can just leave it.

I bought a horn with a dent in the leadpipe. Certain notes were very difficult to play, especially pedal tones.
I got the leadpipe replaced and the problem notes are no longer a problem.

Silver plating counteracts the effect, and additional weight on the outside of a mouthpiece enhances the effect.

(The Science)

Thanks for the replies.

I like how the horn plays now and replacing the leadpipe would be out of budget for right now so I'm gonna leave it until I have some cash to spare, but it sounds like it's gotta be done eventually

@Nemo Post a picture of it if you’re so inclined. Usually you don’t need to replace the pipe. A good repair guy can round it out without you spending $XXX+ on a new pipe.

The only reason I’d replace it is if there is a bunch of rot or a big hole.

Here's a couple angles. The leadpipe and horn are fine otherwise

Okay, that sort of thing I’d get fixed. It would drive me nuts were it my tuba.

I think the pipe would probably have to come off to fix that, but no big deal.

Maybe it could be done on the horn, but I don’t know.

Don't fix what ain't broke.

windshieldbug wrote: Thu Sep 11, 2025 9:09 am Don't fix what ain't broke.

Break what ain’t fixed!

I previously left a nonsense answer, what I suspect is that it may have fallen with the mouthpiece in it, hit on the mouthpiece on a carpeted floor or something and that resulted in the mouthpipe tubing popping off the bell and folding.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a depression in the bell where the mouthpiece receiver is located.

Were at mine, I wouldn't leave it like that, but it isn't mine.

I'm also seeing a red rot spot in your picture. I would probably put a dot of no-lead plumbing solder over the outside of that place - super fast so as to try to avoid burning the lacquer (this is after I would restore the mouthpipe to its original roundness and contour).
After that, I would probably search out a place to get a carefully done chemical clean job. I would avoid ultrasonic as personally I would not seek to have the red rot spots be converted to holes.

You would not know 100% unless you had it fixed, despite how small it is. A friend had a really marvelous 28D horn that she said was apparently getting old because it was harder to play --- and then she had a bell branch dent fixed, and lo and behold the horn played like new again. She had no idea that was the cause. Horn players are big into leadpipes, with quite a few custom ones out there that make a difference in response. Whether your dent is affecting response, you wouldn't know, but I agree that if it were mine I'd get it fixed, but if it isn't bothering you, decide whether you want to spend the money.