Loose Lead Pipe

aasavickas · by **aasavickas** » 2020-05-05 1:05 p.m.

I have a press fit lead pipe on a new horn. It feels tight when pushing it in but is loose enough that when you try to take out your mouthpiece, the lead pipe comes with it.

I tried sticky lube but that didn't help. Any way to fix it with out changing the lead pipe. I know if I expanded the end of it, it would fit better, but I don't really want to change the way it plays.

Any ideas?

Bonearzt · by **Bonearzt** » 2020-05-05 1:26 p.m.

Wrap the mouthpiece end with some electrical tape.

aasavickas · by **aasavickas** » 2020-05-05 1:30 p.m.

Makes sense. I'll give it a shot.

Thanks.

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-05-05 1:32 p.m.

[quote="Bonearzt"]Wrap the mouthpiece end with some electrical tape.[/quote]

When I did that I found that it dulled the sound down, there was less resonance. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out what was different so I removed it and took more care when removing the mouthpiece.

Ross

imsevimse · 2020-05-05 1:47 p.m.

[quote="RoscoTrombone"]<QUOTE author="Bonearzt" post_id="112165" time="1588699562" user_id="54">
Wrap the mouthpiece end with some electrical tape.[/quote]

When I did that I found that it dulled the sound down, there was less resonance. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out what was different so I removed it and took more care when removing the mouthpiece.

Ross
</QUOTE>

Me too. I do not think you should use a soft material. I first tried with scotch tape and then when I thought that felt strange I changed to use something harder like paper to seal it tight. It gave better resonanse. I think paper is harder and does not dampen the vibrations as much as tape which is soft plastic. The horn played better after I did the change. Probably it would be even better if was a tight fit metal to metal because that paper probably reduce some vibrations and sound.

/Tom

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-05-05 2:29 p.m.

A wrap or two of plumbers tape will do the trick for making the fit snug.

I know some techs recommend expanding the end and I've never found that to help... If anything it's changing the taper of your pipe. Just use plumbers tape for the snug fit and better seal!

You get used to it but the pipe coming out with the mouthpiece is a fact of life with loose pipes. Just make sure to hold on to the pipe and waggle the mouthpiece out when removing it. There really isn't a fix or work around.

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2020-05-05 2:56 p.m.

[quote="mrdeacon"]A wrap or two of plumbers tape will do the trick for making the fit snug.

I know some techs recommend expanding the end and I've never found that to help... If anything it's changing the taper of your pipe. Just use plumbers tape for the snug fit and better seal!

You get used to it but the pipe coming out with the mouthpiece is a fact of life with loose pipes. Just make sure to hold on to the pipe and waggle the mouthpiece out when removing it. There really isn't a fix or work around.[/quote]
The last 3 inches or so of almost all leadpipes has no taper, it is just a straight tube at the end.

Cheers,

Andy

mrdeacon · 2020-05-05 7:08 p.m.

Ehhh. You're not wrong but that method of expanding the end of the pipe has been so inefficient for me I just don't bother doing it anymore. Maybe my tech is just bad at it? The pipe always seem to become loose again after a few months of use. That's why I just stick with plumbers tape. Cheap and easy solution.

pompatus · by **pompatus** » 2020-05-05 7:39 p.m.

[quote="mrdeacon"]...That's why I just stick with plumbers rape...[/quote]

Um...that’s a heck of a typo.

So, you’re saying your tech really knows how to lay pipe? ;)

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-05-05 7:41 p.m.

[quote="pompatus"]<QUOTE author="mrdeacon" post_id="112193" time="1588720088" user_id="3239">
...That's why I just stick with plumbers [T]ape...[/quote]

Um...that’s a heck of a typo.

So, you’re saying your tech really knows how to lay pipe? ;)
</QUOTE>
TAPE TAPE TAPE!!!!!

I fixed it!!!!!!! Thanks for pointing that out haha :eek:

brassmedic · by **brassmedic** » 2020-05-05 8:29 p.m.

Leadpipes seal at the far end inside the slide tube. Wrapping the receiver end with tape or another substance might prevent the player from being annoyed with it moving, and it might affect how the metal vibrates, but it's doubtful it would affect how airtight the seal is.

PhilE · by **PhilE** » 2020-05-06 12:27 a.m.

My experience has been that if the lead pipe is loose at the far end ie not a firm fit inside the inner tube, the tone becomes airy and less focused and difficult to make clear articulations.

If it is a large bore tenor or bass, you can use the shank of a large shank mouthpiece to expand the end of the pipe to make it seal in the inner tube.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2020-05-06 12:49 a.m.

Except many top inner tubes are a bit smaller than .547 or .562 at the top so it has to be loose just to go in.

brassmedic · by **brassmedic** » 2020-05-06 1:45 a.m.

[quote="PhilE"]My experience has been that if the lead pipe is loose at the far end ie not a firm fit inside the inner tube, the tone becomes airy and less focused and difficult to make clear articulations.

If it is a large bore tenor or bass, you can use the shank of a large shank mouthpiece to expand the end of the pipe to make it seal in the inner tube.[/quote]
Yeah, I should have said leadpipes are supposed to seal at the far end, but that's assuming the pipe fits correctly and isn't damaged, worn, or manufactured wrong.

JerryY · by **JerryY** » 2020-05-06 8:56 a.m.

So, is it beneficial to just solder in place? Does soldering offer any benefit in performance/response of the instrument? Or does a properly fitting interchangeable pipe work just as well? I also had my tech tell me the medium strength lock-tite around the top of the leadpipe is acceptable to solder but isn't permanent. He said it works to keep the pipe locked in the horn. He said to use Medium only!. The High strength would be impossible to get out. I have yet to try it.

aasavickas · by **aasavickas** » 2020-05-06 10:06 a.m.

Lock-tite sounds like it will work perfectly without any of the downsides.

Thanks.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-05-06 12:30 p.m.

I'd rather not fix in place a "removable" leadpipe.

Why not just a few turns of Teflon tape around the top of the pipe to snug it up, and being careful to hold it in place when inserting & removing your mouthpiece? :idk:

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