Is this for valves or what?

[livingtx]

My 8th grade son just got a brand new Besson Sovereign 968 Euphonium. He had been playing on a non-compensating euphonium. When we got home tonight, my son saw this metal piece in silver (his instrument is lacquer). He discovered that it fits at the bottom of the valves, but why? What's the purpose?

Does it come with dampers already installed or does he need to install the dampers that came in a baggie?

Is a valve guard recommended? If so, which one(s)?

[highpitch]

That fits over the nipples on the bottom valve caps to catch drips and keep them off your clothes.

Slip it over the nipples in the larger end of the slots, and push it sideways to lock it in place.

Clean it out every so often.

The dampers are spares.

Dennis

[Clayton M.]

Note: Empty the catcher before turning the horn upside down. For me, this equates to after each play session - since I avoid placing my euphonium bell down when it is not in its case. I made the mistake of forgetting to empty it once, and had to clean up a mess that trickled from the valves and onto the bell the next day. I haven’t had to do any cleaning on it yet, though I imagine getting a small flexible brush in there might be possible.

[livingtx]

Note: Empty the catcher before turning the horn upside down. For me, this equates to after each play session - since I avoid placing my euphonium bell down when it is not in its case. I made the mistake of forgetting to empty it once, and had to clean up a mess that trickled from the valves and onto the bell the next day. I haven’t had to do any cleaning on it yet, though I imagine getting a small flexible brush in there might be possible.

My son mentioned that with his non-compensating euphonium (Yamaha YEP-321S) he was told to keep the valves slightly loose to let the spit dry. Does he need to do the same thing with the Besson 968 (compensating) or is that the whole purpose of the catcher?

[Clayton M.]

Honestly, I don’t know. I am inclined to think that it doesn’t matter but I grew up a trumpet player, so what do I know? (Haha)

[ghmerrill]

My son mentioned that with his non-compensating euphonium (Yamaha YEP-321S) he was told to keep the valves slightly loose to let the spit dry.

Who in the world told him that?

So the idea is to ensure a collection of "dried spit" in your valves? And you accomplish this by loosening the valves? If you don't want "spit" in your horn (and it's not spit, of course), then make sure you pull all the tuning slides and empty them after each use, take your pistons out and dry them, etc. I don't think there are a lot of us who do that.

Also, in terms of putting the instrument on its bell, there is almost NEVER a need to do this, and it presents certain dangers. My euph is NEVER on its bell, and the tuba may be put on its bell only for a few seconds while I need both hands (but often, I'll just case it for a moment event then). Your mileage may vary.

[ChristianeSparkle]

Considering investing in a Wessex euph stand (same as the K&M version), but it's 400 bucks, not sure if I should. Probably will though. After reading the old threads about the subject of putting the horn on its bell.

That said, I am not sure keeping the valves loose will do any drying at all, unless you take them out and put them aside to dry. I do that to my valves and tuning slides every 2 weeks, just leave them overnight after a light rinse.

[Jasonium]

Who in the world told him that?

So the idea is to ensure a collection of "dried spit" in your valves? And you accomplish this by loosening the valves? If you don't want "spit" in your horn (and it's not spit, of course), then make sure you pull all the tuning slides and empty them after each use, take your pistons out and dry them, etc. I don't think there are a lot of us who do that.

Also, in terms of putting the instrument on its bell, there is almost NEVER a need to do this, and it presents certain dangers. My euph is NEVER on its bell, and the tuba may be put on its bell only for a few seconds while I need both hands (but often, I'll just case it for a moment event then). Your mileage may vary.

I agree with this. I never put my horn on the bell even when it’s in the case. I’m not fond of moldy felt pads!

[davewerden]

I highly recommend NOT putting the horn on its bell. As we play, some build up of "gunk" occurs in the bottom of each valve. When you put the horn on its bell it enables that gunk to run "down" into the piston area again. (Along those lines, you might remove the bottom caps now and then to clean then.)

I use the Hercules stand in my practice area and it is very easy to use and rugged. Here is my review (complete with photos):

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...uphonium-Stand

With the Hercules stand it rests securely in a cradle.



Another popular stand here in the forum is the one below. In this kind the horn is inserted down between 2 upright supports. It is a little more "fussy" as you put the horn in and out, but it is nice and secure once in place. Here is one made by Nomad:

https://www.amazon.com/Nomad-NIS-C07.../dp/B00TV8IF6S

Nomad stand photo:

[Clayton M.]

I don’t have a lot of space in my living situation, and the hard case in which I keep my horn needs to stand on the bell side of the case. When I am actively practicing, I use the Hercules stand, but I like to keep it in the hard case otherwise. Hence the bell down orientation. I usually give it a chance to rest and accumulate condensation for a last clearing, before casing it up.

[John Morgan]

I have used the K&M (German made) stand for years, like forever. For me, it is the very best stand out there, hands down. I would not be comfortable with the Hercules stand simply because of how high the horn sits off the floor. Granted, I use my K&M everywhere I play, so perhaps if you are using the Hercules at home in a controlled environment it would be okay, but even then, I vastly prefer the K&M. Takes up less space as well. The K&M is rugged, sturdy, and just absolutely does the job. Nothing else for me.

Guess we are a little off the original topic about valve grime catchers. Sorry...

[ChristianeSparkle]

An on-topic question and an off-topic question

On-topic:

The grime catcher/gutter, do anyone actually put a piece or tissue or some kind of cotton/fabric in it to catch the spit leaking out of the valves nipples? I'm considering sliding a piece of tissue in there.


Off-topic:

Having the horn's bell facing downwards. I've noticed that quite a few gig bags have the horn's bell facing downwards when you're carrying it on your shoulders. What do you think about that? A no-no too? I notice the JP Pro case, Tom & Wills and Fusion all have the bell facing down.

[Clayton M.]

On-topic: I’ve seen product from Japan that look like absorbent rolls meant for such a use. I’m not sure if they exist outside the Japan-scene though. Those people have some interesting products.

Off-topic: It is a consideration to make for sure.

[RickF]

Yamaha had a moisture trap you could insert inside its valve trough. It worked really well in that it held lots of moisture but didn’t block the vent holes. Not sure if these are still available.

Here’s a link to an image:
https://sg.carousell.com/p/yamaha-mo...ium-178264454/

[TheJH]

When the gutter is full I just take it off the nipples and emtpy it. It fills up quite fast for me somehow so not emptying it until the mid-practise break is not an option.

As far as cotton/other absorbents considered, I don't use them. I had them for a while but they would get icky and get stuck in the ends of the gutter, too much fuss to try to pry them out of it (yes, I'm a bit lazy :P ).

Also, I don't use the gutter on my Willson anymore. It vibrates loose after a couple of minutes of playing so it falls off with all consequences thereof. Probably because the silicone caps on the ends are a bit loose so it doesn't keep the clamping tight anymore.