Replacing Bach Linkage

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JCBone
Posts: 373
Joined: Jul 29, 2020

by JCBone »

I have bach with a very noisy miniball linkage and I'm looking to replace it. I was looking into the instrument innovations linkage but their website said that it is not compatible with bach. Any ideas?
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

Before you embark on a long and expensive linkage project, make sure you don't have hardened bumpers and have lubricated the old ball-and-socket properly. Those two things can contribute a lot to noise.
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Chiptingle
Posts: 87
Joined: Apr 30, 2018

by Chiptingle »

Pretty deep in the weeds, but I have to agree on different bumpers making a difference in noise. Until I experienced this on my Getzen 1062, going from clear-ish squared off, softer…to harder black, round…I never woulda thunk.
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hornbuilder
Posts: 1384
Joined: May 02, 2018

by hornbuilder »

Can you post a photo of the current linkage, please?

Bach have had 2 different linkage types, the options vary depending on what your horn has.
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JCBone
Posts: 373
Joined: Jul 29, 2020

by JCBone »

[quote="BGuttman"]Before you embark on a long and expensive linkage project, make sure you don't have hardened bumpers and have lubricated the old ball-and-socket properly. Those two things can contribute a lot to noise.[/quote]

I have tried that but there is play in the actual linkage.
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JCBone
Posts: 373
Joined: Jul 29, 2020

by JCBone »

[quote="hornbuilder"]Can you post a photo of the current linkage, please?

Bach have had 2 different linkage types, the options vary depending on what your horn has.[/quote]

https://images.app.goo.gl/7fnC3PRmEd3PSD5n9

This type
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Those Bach minibals are loud. The bumpers won't change anything.

Straight up new minibals might do it.
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baBposaune
Posts: 391
Joined: Jan 21, 2019

by baBposaune »

[quote="JCBone"]I have bach with a very noisy miniball linkage and I'm looking to replace it. I was looking into the instrument innovations linkage but their website said that it is not compatible with bach. Any ideas?[/quote]

I use Hetman Bearing and Linkage oil on all my miniball links on all my horns. They make a "light" version but the regular weight (if you can find it) seems to make them the quietest. Check if the screws that hold the ball are loose, just in case they are part of the problem.

Also, if you can't find Hetman, any medium weight key oil will work. It was suggested that you check your bumpers to make sure they haven't become hard. Always good advice.
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hornbuilder
Posts: 1384
Joined: May 02, 2018

by hornbuilder »

The ball joints Bach use are not genuine German made MINIBAL ball joints. They can be directly replaced with genuine MINIBAL parts. They will give you a long, quiet service life.

Heavier oil "may" quiet the Bach joints some, but it is not a permanent solution.

Send me an email to

matthew"at"customtrombones"dot"com

I can sell you some.