Euphonium Valve Question
- atopper333
- Posts: 377
- Joined: Mar 09, 2022
Hello all, got a question for our euphonium people out there on the forum….
I recently picked up my first euphonium, a Jupiter JEP-470S for a steal and it’s in really good shape. I do have a question…the first valve is a little slow rebounding. I’ve cleaned the valve block and piston and have re-lubricated with UltraPure, but it is still slow. I am starting to wonder if I should replace the springs. If so, are they model specific, or are their custom options with a potentially better spring available?
Thanks much for any help.
I recently picked up my first euphonium, a Jupiter JEP-470S for a steal and it’s in really good shape. I do have a question…the first valve is a little slow rebounding. I’ve cleaned the valve block and piston and have re-lubricated with UltraPure, but it is still slow. I am starting to wonder if I should replace the springs. If so, are they model specific, or are their custom options with a potentially better spring available?
Thanks much for any help.
- AtomicClock
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Oct 19, 2023
A drop of oil on the valve guide can work wonders. It's easy to forget. I don't know what is on the Jupiter, but on my Yamaha, the valve guides are plastic, and plastic-against-metal friction is enough to make the valves stick.
- Blabberbucket
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Oct 09, 2022
There are any number of reasons a valve could be hanging up. It is pretty common on euphoniums for the valve slides to be bent downward, which can distort the casing and cause the piston to hang up.
- ghmerrill
- Posts: 2193
- Joined: Apr 02, 2018
I would start by replacing the valve guides and the springs. It's inexpensive and won't hurt. I believe that Hickey's (https://www.hickeys.com/index.php) can provide you with both. It may solve all your problems. Give Hickey's a call just to be sure you'll be getting exactly what fits your horn. They're great to talk to via phone or email.
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
The leadpipe dumps right into the first valve, and depending on your habits, or those of the previous owner, there might be some gunk that comes with that. Snake out the leadpipe and valve casing frequently.
Springs last a long time. They aren't universal, but can be bought several ways - model/make, top or bottom sprung, by dimensions (diameter / height). I don't think there is a way to specify the strength of the spring, but some are stronger than others. Try the dwerden forum for specifics.
Springs last a long time. They aren't universal, but can be bought several ways - model/make, top or bottom sprung, by dimensions (diameter / height). I don't think there is a way to specify the strength of the spring, but some are stronger than others. Try the dwerden forum for specifics.
- atopper333
- Posts: 377
- Joined: Mar 09, 2022
Thanks much for all the suggestions, it was a big help. Swabbed out the leadpipe to first valve, disassembled the first valve and cleaned the area around the valve guide, the guide, and groove. Oiled it up and it works great. The plastic guides look a little beat up so I’ll follow the advice here and order some replacements through Hickeys. Thanks again all for your help!