Spare parts kit
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Spare parts kit
Hello. We have a very busy high school trombonist (marching band, concert band, small ensemble, ETSBOA auditions/clinics, jazz orchestra, symphony orchestra, i probably left something out). He also has a lot of academic (math)commitments (he has been an official UTK student since 5th grade), so not much free time. At a recent audition when he was warming up, a tiny rubber piece popped off and was lost. With an ugly fix he did the audition and made the KJYO! He has jazz clinic & senior clinic soon and I want to put together a self "repair" kit. What spare parts should I get? He has two (68 & 73) Holton TR-185, Bach 36B with f attachment (marching)
, and a Benge 290 double trigger bass trombone.
Also, he usually plays the 73 Holton TR-185 but it has an airy sound, the 68 does not. What could be the cause?
Thank you
, and a Benge 290 double trigger bass trombone.
Also, he usually plays the 73 Holton TR-185 but it has an airy sound, the 68 does not. What could be the cause?
Thank you
- Burgerbob
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Re: Spare parts kit
Valve bumpers, spit valve springs and corks is usually all you need. Anything more serious than that and you'll want a tech.
As for the Holtons, could just be Holton things- but I'd check for spit valve corks and valve alignment. Both things that could be solved with the above items!
As for the Holtons, could just be Holton things- but I'd check for spit valve corks and valve alignment. Both things that could be solved with the above items!
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
- JohnL
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Re: Spare parts kit
Valve bumpers usually need to be trimmed to time the valve properly. Unfortunately, that requires some sort of sharp blade and such things are usually prohibited items on public school campuses. My suggested workaround would be to prepare a set of pre-trimmed replacement bumpers.
A few appropriately sized screwdrivers to tighten anything that comes loose might also come in handy. I've always encouraged young players to get into the habit of checking for loose bits whenever they put their horn into or take their horn out of its case.
- ghmerrill
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Re: Spare parts kit
Three distinct horns? You'll likely need three distinct sets of those parts (bumpers, corks, whatever) unless you get lucky. Depending on what sort of corks you get, you might want a small tube of adhesive. Also, make sure the corks will fit before you actually need to use them. There are approximately 2,000 different sizes of corks -- well, maybe not quite that many, but you want to consider both diameter and thickness.
I can't imagine creating pre-trimmed replacement bumpers -- how that would work, and how I'd install them when necessary -- and I've had several different rotary valved instruments over about 35 years. It's bad enough installing bumpers and then trimming them. That will require practice. It's not exactly just "get the right size and push it in and maybe trim it." (I speak from experience -- and in fact installed a new one about an hour ago, after grubbing about in my supplies drawers and coming up with some 1/4" bumper material.
).
Honestly, unless he's willing to put in some apprentice-level work to acquire the skills and experience, I'd stick to water key corks and a few rubber bands (ersatz water key springs). Worst-case planning here is maybe not the way to go. The screwdrivers are definitely a good idea -- unless the school views them as potential weapons.
I can't imagine creating pre-trimmed replacement bumpers -- how that would work, and how I'd install them when necessary -- and I've had several different rotary valved instruments over about 35 years. It's bad enough installing bumpers and then trimming them. That will require practice. It's not exactly just "get the right size and push it in and maybe trim it." (I speak from experience -- and in fact installed a new one about an hour ago, after grubbing about in my supplies drawers and coming up with some 1/4" bumper material.

Honestly, unless he's willing to put in some apprentice-level work to acquire the skills and experience, I'd stick to water key corks and a few rubber bands (ersatz water key springs). Worst-case planning here is maybe not the way to go. The screwdrivers are definitely a good idea -- unless the school views them as potential weapons.
Gary Merrill
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
- Kingfan
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Re: Spare parts kit
I carry a multi-tool and a small screwdriver with multiple bits in my gig bag. I have never needed them myself, but the drummer and the sax players sure have!
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! 
Greg Songer
King 606, Bach 5
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated

Greg Songer
King 606, Bach 5
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated
- ghmerrill
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Re: Spare parts kit
In terms of screws, you're really lucky to discover a loose screw rather than a missing screw. People who check their screws on a regular basis (or those inclined to use thread locker), can avoid problems. Those who don't check their screws on a regular basis are probably more likely to suddenly discover that one of their screws has "fallen out."
Gary Merrill
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
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- BGuttman
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Re: Spare parts kit
My emergency kit contains:
Small screwdriver with multiple blades
Water key corks (usually 2 or 3)
40 lb test fishing line (multifilament) for string linkage valves (note: I've used dental floss for an emergency repair that lasted 5 years!)
Untrimmed valve bumpers. This is for an emergency; fit them properly when you get home. I made mine by cutting slices off an O-ring.
A small rubber or cork cone that fits the water key hole.
Rubber band (emergency spring replacement)
All this stuff fitted in the plastic case for a cassette tape.
Small screwdriver with multiple blades
Water key corks (usually 2 or 3)
40 lb test fishing line (multifilament) for string linkage valves (note: I've used dental floss for an emergency repair that lasted 5 years!)
Untrimmed valve bumpers. This is for an emergency; fit them properly when you get home. I made mine by cutting slices off an O-ring.
A small rubber or cork cone that fits the water key hole.
Rubber band (emergency spring replacement)
All this stuff fitted in the plastic case for a cassette tape.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
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Re: Spare parts kit
Thank you all so much for your input! I am going to start with the Holton. I have until August for the Bach and he doesn't use the Benge too much right now. Is there any place online to get these things? I am not having much luck finding TR-185 parts. Will TR-183 parts work?
- ghmerrill
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- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:41 pm
- Location: Central North Carolina
Re: Spare parts kit
For generic parts and supplies, I mostly go to Votaw Tool (https://votawtool.com/). Don't hesitate to call them and ask about stuff -- even if you're not quite sure what you want/need.
Gary Merrill
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
- BGuttman
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- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
- Location: Cow Hampshire
Re: Spare parts kit
For my kit, the fishing line came from Wal-Mart; the screwdriver and O-ring came from Home Depot. The cone is a part used in electroplating, but very small corks may be found in a craft store. I found water key corks on Ebay (12 mm) although my regular repairman would give me a couple for free from time to time.
These things can often be found from industrial suppliers like Grainger, but you probably don't need or want to buy several lifetime's supplies.
These things can often be found from industrial suppliers like Grainger, but you probably don't need or want to buy several lifetime's supplies.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
- Burgerbob
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Re: Spare parts kit
The only "parts" you need are generic- the right size bumpers and spit valve corks can be found on Hickeys in almost every case.anditomhinds wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:36 pm Thank you all so much for your input! I am going to start with the Holton. I have until August for the Bach and he doesn't use the Benge too much right now. Is there any place online to get these things? I am not having much luck finding TR-185 parts. Will TR-183 parts work?
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
- ghmerrill
- Posts: 1140
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:41 pm
- Location: Central North Carolina
Re: Spare parts kit
Don't overlook Amazon for various parts (including some branded ones from Bach and Conn, etc.). There are a surprising number of instrument-related items on there now -- including quite a variety of water key corks, springs for water keys, replacement water keys, slide bumpers, rotary valve bumpers and bumper material -- though I do think that places like Hickey's and Votaw are best.
Also JL Smith -- which originally started as a flute/woodwind-oriented company but has a bunch of supplies/tools/etc. of a more general nature. I've bought all my piston valve washers/corks/shims/etc. from them for decades. They have slide bumpers, corks for hand slides, mute corks, etc. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort to find what you want on that (woodwind-oriented) site. For rotary valve bumpers material, you need to search for "Neoprene Cord", and then they have it in five different sizes. They also have silicone cord (in multiple sizes and in four different colors!), but I've always found that to be too "bouncy" for me.
Also JL Smith -- which originally started as a flute/woodwind-oriented company but has a bunch of supplies/tools/etc. of a more general nature. I've bought all my piston valve washers/corks/shims/etc. from them for decades. They have slide bumpers, corks for hand slides, mute corks, etc. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort to find what you want on that (woodwind-oriented) site. For rotary valve bumpers material, you need to search for "Neoprene Cord", and then they have it in five different sizes. They also have silicone cord (in multiple sizes and in four different colors!), but I've always found that to be too "bouncy" for me.
Gary Merrill
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
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Re: Spare parts kit
Just FYI, an eraser from a mechanical pencil will work as a valve bumper in a pinch.
Eric Edwards
Professional Instrument Repair
972.795.5784
"If you must choose between two evils, choose the one you haven't tried yet."
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." -Sophocles
Professional Instrument Repair
972.795.5784
"If you must choose between two evils, choose the one you haven't tried yet."
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." -Sophocles