"I've heard that there are two different versions of valve sets on the CC-Tuba 2145"
In the
early 1990's Meinl-Weston subcontracted all of the piston
valve sets to a company that manufactured these sets. It was
and is still a common way to do business.Due to the large number of orders and interest in the new line of Meinl-Weston piston tubas, demand went beyond the capacity of just one subcontractor. The valve set orders were then split between 2 valve making companies. Though the bore size was the same from both manufacturers, some other parts such as springs, valve guides, and felts were different. This caused some confusion for players, dealers, wholesalers and of course our own workers. We were aware we needed to make a change to standardize parts and insure adequate supplies of high quality piston valve sets for our tubas.
So since 1995/1996, we are now using only “our own” piston valve sets manufactured by our sister company Vogtländische Musikinstrumentenfabrik GmbH (VMI). These sets are of course made to our demanding specifications here at Meinl-Weston.
Around 3 years ago 1996/1997,
we here at Meinl-Weston decided to “upgrade” the CC-Tuba
2145 by using only the new “Big Valves” like on the
other CC’s 2155 and 2165.
On
these “Big Valves” the bore size is the same,
but the piston diameter is bigger, which results in less disturbance
in the air flow as it moves through the valve group. If you are
looking for comments on this change from players, the reaction
we’ve gotten has been that this change has “opened
up the 2145 tremendously”.
Here are again the full technical details of our model 2145,
2155, 2165
and handmade 2000 CC-Tuba valve
groups:
4 piston steel valves (Big Valve)
Bore: .748in - .787in
5th valve rotary valve (.807in) thumb operated
Today, at the end of the year 2000, it will be difficult to find
a 2145 that does not have the “Big Valves” when you
purchase a new instrument.
For a quick identification: on
the "Big Valves", the felt is now sitting under the
finger button so the top cap is in brass (see picture). As a
more thorough method of identification, we recommend to measure
the outside of the valve case to be sure they are the new "Big
Valves": the measurement on the outside of the valve case
should be no less than 32,5 mm or approximately 1.279 inches
on every piston.
Martin Matthies (20/11/2000)