New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

[daruby]

Earlier in my review, I had mentioned that I wnated to lighten the valve action on my Sterling as much as possible. The finger buttons that come with the Virtuoso are quite large and heavy, similar to those on a Yamaha 321. I prefer the smaller, lighter, more rounded feel of the finger buttons on my Prestige. I ordered a set of 4 from Windcraft in the UK and they came today. Since I am in the US, I was able to get them ex-VAT for a total of 54.04 GBP including shipping. They work great and look cool with the black onyx inserts. The lighter buttons also reduce the tendency of the valves to bounce when they pop back up. I think I am now done with customizations to my Virtuoso.

Doug

[carbogast]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

That does sound like a cool look. I have been thinking about abalone inserts in mine (standard Virtuoso, all silver). Is abalone often used for finger buttons? I have abalone on the frog of my violin bow which is very good looking. But it doesn't get the kind of wear that a finger button gets.

- Carroll

[daruby]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Carroll,

I suspect that abalone would work. I don't know where you could get these though. While I like the black button look, the real reason I did this was to get a similar feel to my Besson.

Doug

[ydave]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Hi Doug

I've spent the last few weeks with Prestige valve buttons on my Sterling...
I much preffer them... I don't know if they perform any better.. but they feel smaller so more like home (old soveriegns).
...Thanks for the idea.
YDave

[davewerden]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Has anyone compared the weight of the Prestige buttons and the Sterling buttons? I don't have any particular preference, but I suppose that lighter is better because they would be quicker (in theory, anyway).

[daruby]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

I haven't actually weighed them, but I do have a postal scale so I will get you the weights. Absolutely the Sterling buttons are heavier, but by how much, I don't know.

[Eupher6]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Originally posted by: daruby Earlier in my review, I had mentioned that I wnated to lighten the valve action on my Sterling as much as possible. The finger buttons that come with the Virtuoso are quite large and heavy, similar to those on a Yamaha 321. I prefer the smaller, lighter, more rounded feel of the finger buttons on my Prestige. I ordered a set of 4 from Windcraft in the UK and they came today. Since I am in the US, I was able to get them ex-VAT for a total of 54.04 GBP including shipping. They work great and look cool with the black onyx inserts. The lighter buttons also reduce the tendency of the valves to bounce when they pop back up. I think I am now done with customizations to my Virtuoso. Doug

Doug, is there no U.S.-based source for the Prestige valve buttons? From my experience in the past in trying to get Besson parts (this was during the 2001-2006 debacle), I struggled mightily. Customer "service" was a foreign word in those days.

I'd like to think that those days are over.

Doesn't Besson have a U.S.-source for such routine things like spare parts?

Also, I note from Windcraft's web site that the Prestige finger buttons don't come with the faux pearl inlay. Did you have that material installed in your buttons? Did Windcraft have to outsource that work before shipping to you?

[fsung]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Prestige finger buttons w/black "pearl" inserts (BBH7930) are listed on the Windcraft site on page 2 under Brass Spares > Besson Prestige at £12.09 each. ex. VAT. Unfinished finger buttons (BBH7330) are listed on page 1 at £1.50 each, and black "pearl" inserts (BBH7033) at £0.85 each.

[daruby]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Originally posted by: fsung

Prestige finger buttons w/black "pearl" inserts (BBH7930) are listed on the Windcraft site on page 2 under Brass Spares > Besson Prestige at £12.09 each. ex. VAT. Unfinished finger buttons (BBH7330) are listed on page 1 at £1.50 each, and black "pearl" inserts (BBH7033) at £0.85 each.

1. There is no source in the US for Besson spare parts that I know of. I have heard nothing but complaints from my sources about Buffett-Crampon's ability to deliver spares in the US. Keep in mind that both Besson and York have been distributed in the US by Woodwind organizations. Not sure they know what brass spares should be.

2. Windcraft was pretty good about getting the buttons to me. The prices that Felix quotes are correct, however keep in mind that the Prestige buttons (BBH7930) are gold plated while the unfinished buttons (BBH7330) are either silver or raw brass (don't know which).

Doug

[bbocaner]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

have you checked the valve alignment? I wonder if the felts might need to be adjusted to account for the different size of the buttons.

[daruby]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

I am using the same felts in both Besson adn Sterling buttons and they both screw in to the piston to the same depth, so the down stroke is the same. I have checked this by pulling the 1st valve compensating slide and checking the down stroke.

Doug

[davewerden]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

I THINK most valve buttons have their inner flat surface level with the attachment point of the threads of the button's screw. That flat surface is where the felt sits. So the top of the felt will be level with the top of the valve stem. Which means the felt should be the same height for any button made this way.

It's good that Doug checked, though. I suppose it's possible that if a button were smaller enough in diameter to cause the felt to fit tightly in the horizontal plane, it could cause the felt to compress in the horizontal plane and "puff out" in the vertical plane.

[JorgEuphonium]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Hello everyone!
Thanks for posting where to find accessory shops for euphonium. I needed a shop to replace one of my buttons on my Prestige and I've found where to buy it.
You know any more of this type store to buy springs, guides for the piston, felt ...??

Thanks for everything!

[fsung]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

I tend to look at springs and felts as generic items, so unless you have a reason for requiring Besson springs and felts, a competent repair tech should be able to size and fit them from what he or she has on hand.

Valve guides for the Prestige you would probably need to order. Windcraft is likely to have them (they list only a small sampling of their inventory on their website). Another possibility would be Mr. Tuba (Mark Carter) in Wales.

[Dieter]

New Finger Buttons for my Sterling

Jorgeuphonium,

When replacing your springs, check not only the spring height and diameter, but also the thickness of the spring (wire diameter). I replaced once my springs with a spring that was similar in height and diameter but was a little bit less in wire diameter and it did not work (sticky/slow valves as result).



And if I recall well, Mr. Werden also posted once that the 4th valve has another spring than the top valves, so you should check that as well.