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Source for 19 mm ID brass tubing

Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:03 pm
by harrell
I am about to have a week off for spring break(hallelujah!) and want to start working on rebuilding my fourth valve on my F tuba. I am looking for a source for 19 mm ID brass tubing. By my best guesstimate, I will need lengths of about 48" to play with. I have repaired many horns but this is my first time "building" something, other than small things like braces. Just curious where you guys get tubing other than off old horns.

Re: Source for 19 mm ID brass tubing

Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2026 4:34 pm
by the elephant
For nickel silver — Miraphone
For brass — Allied

Allied mostly sells SAE and Miraphone sells “Miraphone sized” tubes in nominal mm sizes.

Allied’s .750” ID tube has a matching outer tube, and 19mm is .748”, which won’t match up with what is on the horn, but when playing, there is zero difference.

Re: Source for 19 mm ID brass tubing

Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2026 5:02 pm
by bloke
Meinlschmidt and some other European suppliers have that specific size in nickel-brass.
Someone told me that they believe they found the place that actually makes the tubing that Meinlschmidt uses to put with their rotors and pistons. I don't remember who they told me they were, but I could probably do some research. (I still have some not-for-sale hunks of it around here, so I'm not looking right now.)

As far as fitting inside and outside tubes to each other, it takes a lot less time to fit yellow brass than it does nickel-brass, but whatever on that. Some people prefer the harder metal and/or the look of it. If it's an old American instrument, the yellow brass offers a vintage American look, yes?

Re: Source for 19 mm ID brass tubing

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2026 9:42 am
by harrell
Thanks guys!