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davewerden

Short-Action Valves

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Younger players may not be aware that in years past, manufacturers (mostly Conn, as I recall) offered a few euphoniums and tubas with what they called "short-action valves." Normally all tubing in a horn is round in cross section. Conn would flatten the cross-section of the tube slightly just as it entered the valve casing, and they would also flatten the port in the valve itself. This allowed them to place the ports closer together so the valve did not have to travel as far vertically. I played on one of the euphoniums once and it WAS fun! Unfortunately, the distortion of the tubing had negative side effects so it gradually lost favor. I don't believe anyone offers this "feature" today.

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