With so many Bach owners upgrading their linkages, does anyone have this piece available? There is an issue with mine, in that the inside threads are defective and I cannot tighten the nut all the way.

I would love another Clontz linkage, but cannot find Todd's contact info.

Ive got one, but it would probably be better to just buy a new linkage from hickeys, around $100

Mamaposaune,

I sent you Todd's contact info in a private message a few weeks ago.

OK, for some reason the private message did not go through and a new one will not go as well. Darn TC software.

Email me at: <EMAIL email="bdhinkley@comcast.net">bdhinkley@comcast.net</EMAIL>

I might have one. Send me a message and I'll check if you still need it

I have one as well.

Thanks all, with Todd's contact info I will give him a try first. - Sue

[quote="Elow"]Ive got one, but it would probably be better to just buy a new linkage from hickeys, around $100[/quote]

I found the aftermarket kit at Hickeys to be rather frustrating as it's not a true plug and play kit. They warn that it requires final finishing by a repair technician because it's unfinished. The opening for the thumb lever screw had to bored out along with the faux minibal linkage head openings of one side. And the linkage screw opening off the lever end had to be tapped because there was only a tiny starting hole. Even when all was assembled, i found the kit to be far noisier than the original and the action was inferior. With more time I probably could've gotten it working better but I returned it out of frustration. A $124 kit (traditional wrap cost) should work better out the bag.

[quote="jjenkins"]<QUOTE author="Elow" post_id="166191" time="1640217301" user_id="8680">
Ive got one, but it would probably be better to just buy a new linkage from hickeys, around $100[/quote]

I found the aftermarket kit at Hickeys to be rather frustrating as it's not a true plug and play kit. They warn that it requires final finishing by a repair technician because it's unfinished. The opening for the thumb lever screw had to bored out along with the faux minibal linkage head openings of one side. And the linkage screw opening off the lever end had to be tapped because there was only a tiny starting hole. Even when all was assembled, i found the kit to be far noisier than the original and the action was inferior. With more time I probably could've gotten it working better but I returned it out of frustration. A $124 kit (traditional wrap cost) should work better out the bag.
</QUOTE>

I have found that almost all trombone thumb levers (and water keys as well) need to be individually fit and adjusted in order to function properly. Rarely do they align properly and work as they should when the parts arrive. Most need to swedged and the hole for the hinge screw usually needs to be properly sized. Without doing these processes, the thumb valve can have assorted problems, the most common being excess play in the hinge screw area or the opposite....the lever is too tight around the hinge screw and the motion of the lever gradually rotates the hinge screw loose. I recommend that you have a good technician install these items whenever you get new parts. Believe it or not, many things can go wrong with the simplest of moving parts on a trombone: thumb levers, water keys, slide locks, slide to bell connectors, etc....

[quote="Crazy4Tbone86"]<QUOTE author="jjenkins" post_id="166224" time="1640266975" user_id="3111">

I found the aftermarket kit at Hickeys to be rather frustrating as it's not a true plug and play kit. They warn that it requires final finishing by a repair technician because it's unfinished. The opening for the thumb lever screw had to bored out along with the faux minibal linkage head openings of one side. And the linkage screw opening off the lever end had to be tapped because there was only a tiny starting hole. Even when all was assembled, i found the kit to be far noisier than the original and the action was inferior. With more time I probably could've gotten it working better but I returned it out of frustration. A $124 kit (traditional wrap cost) should work better out the bag.[/quote]

I have found that almost all trombone thumb levers (and water keys as well) need to be individually fit and adjusted in order to function properly. Rarely do they align properly and work as they should when the parts arrive. Most need to swedged and the hole for the hinge screw usually needs to be properly sized. Without doing these processes, the thumb valve can have assorted problems, the most common being excess play in the hinge screw area or the opposite....the lever is too tight around the hinge screw and the motion of the lever gradually rotates the hinge screw loose. I recommend that you have a good technician install these items whenever you get new parts. Believe it or not, many things can go wrong with the simplest of moving parts on a trombone: thumb levers, water keys, slide locks, slide to bell connectors, etc....
</QUOTE>

But these components did not event fit with itself within the kit. The lever rod should've at least been pre-fitted for the lever hinge, and the hole could've been pre-tapped. Just charge an addition $5 if they must, and send out a finished kit. I understand that some adjustments still might need to be made afterward, but it's apparent the company did not do all they could within their power to get the kit as close to finished. Why offer an "aftermarket solution" that's actually a hassle?

Exactly, the Bach parts almost never fit. With thumb levers and water keys in all brands, I have come to expect that the parts WILL NOT fit, even if the parts are sold together as a kit.

I agree with you 100% John! Retail stores should send those kits to their repair/tech department first and have them custom-fitted within each kit. This would ensure, at the minimum, that the hinge screw fits with its paired part. Otherwise, they should not sell the kit.

There are still other things that usually need aligning. However, if the screw fits in its corresponding part, the customer will at least have something that functions. Happy holidays everyone!

If you want I have the complete rotor with level for 150 in good condition