Selmer Bolero counter weight removal?

Arvopart17 · by **Arvopart17** » 2021-11-12 8:08 p.m.

Anyone have experience taking these off? It looks like it’s a three piece screw on weight, but I can’t get it to budge. No sticker. Is this just something that needs some penetrating oil and muscle? It may not have moved since the 70’s :)

djkennedy · by **djkennedy** » 2021-11-12 11:51 p.m.

Knurled edge is the ticket counter clockwise

Oil it up let sit

Gently tap s rawhide mallet

Ez like unscrew

Last resort

Vice grips

Arvopart17 · by **Arvopart17** » 2021-11-13 7:11 a.m.

Thanks DJ, I’ll let you know how it goes

OneTon · by **OneTon** » 2021-11-13 10:15 a.m.

I have used Marvel Mystery Oil to pickle slides. It never damaged any lacquer and it may have better penetration than household 3 in 1. Read the label before applying Liquid Wrench or other more exotic penetrating oils. Multiple applications over a week or two may be called for.

A repair technician may be able to apply some heat to help free it up.

OneTon · by **OneTon** » 2021-11-13 10:32 a.m.

The repair technician also has soft jawed pliers and a calibrated forearm to swing the mallet with. He or she may shore up the offending counterweight with a block of wood and perhaps thin felt to help reduce damage to the brace.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2021-11-13 10:41 a.m.

I have one of those rubber strap wrenches I use for situations like this. Lots of torque, no damage.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2021-11-13 10:52 a.m.

Judging by the looks of the weight, it matters more than the horn, right? I'd just hacksaw the brace above and below, no damage to the weight this way. :pant:

Arvopart17 · by **Arvopart17** » 2021-11-13 10:58 a.m.

Actually, I quite like the horn, but it’s very back heavy. It’s a bolero with an F attachment - there’s no need for the weight. It has a super focused/projecting sound right now, I’m thinking taking the weight off may dial that back a little too.

Estraven · by **Estraven** » 2021-11-13 12:22 p.m.

Having owned one of these (Largo, actually), DJ is correct, just unscrew the knurled part counterclockwise. If its stuck I’d use a small strap wrench.

Arvopart17 · by **Arvopart17** » 2021-11-13 1:19 p.m.

Got it! WD40 and some patience - thank you everyone for the assist.

Cotboneman · by **Cotboneman** » 2021-11-15 4:02 p.m.

Glad you got it off. That WD40 is some kind of miracle elixir! :lol:

I owned a straight Bolero in the 1980's and had trouble with the counterweight as well. On that horn it was loose and rattled at certain partials, which was very annoying. I didn't think about oiling it back then but instead just took it to a shop, which remedied the problem. Now the thin lacquer coat on the horn which wore though very quickly and turned my neck and hands green, well that's a story for another day!

Arvopart17 · by **Arvopart17** » 2021-11-15 4:55 p.m.

It’s funny how just 6 additional ounces can make your arm feel like it’s going to fall off after a while. The horn plays great without the weight now.

Stustang05 · by **Stustang05** » 2023-01-12 7:39 p.m.

Do you still have this counter weight and if so, are you interested in selling it?

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2023-01-12 8:48 p.m.

Just for future reference, strap wrench. Get a couple. Never use vice grips again. I use them on DE mouthpieces, valve caps, pickle jars... Very handy, and don't destroy stuff.

Arvopart17 · by **Arvopart17** » 2023-01-12 9:05 p.m.

Sorry, it’s not with me anymore.

Stustang05 · by **Stustang05** » 2023-01-12 10:20 p.m.

Thanks for letting me know.

MBeal · by **MBeal** » 2023-01-13 10:25 a.m.

[quote="hyperbolica"]Just for future reference, strap wrench. Get a couple. Never use vice grips again. I use them on DE mouthpieces, valve caps, pickle jars... Very handy, and don't destroy stuff.[/quote]

That's really handy advice. Thanks!

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Selmer Bolero counter weight removal?