Thumb Rings

[Sousaswag]

Most of you probably know this, but...

I've bought a bunch of stuff from Germany over the last few years. One thing that I detest more than most things is tubas missing thumb rings, and them getting lost and subsequently not included in the sale of the instrument.

If you have a new(er) MW/B&S tuba that is missing a ring, good luck trying to find one stateside. You'll either have to get one made by someone who makes things, or you can order one from Germany.

Voigt, to my understanding, supplies Buffet with these rings. They're also VERY easy to communicate with, and buy things from. Simply reach out by email, send them a picture of the ring you want, and they'll send you an invoice.

This particular ring - 64 euro base price, 40 euro expedited shipping, and another 26 or so euro for import fees, which didn't come up until the ring was stateside... Be aware of that. I don't remember if I was charged import fees on the last ring. Probably. VERY reasonably priced, and they'll send you the entire thing. It's not just the ring portion, but the little mounting post, set screws, and the tube it fits inside.

It took longer for UPS to get it to my house then it did for the ring to get from Germany to the US, FYI...

Pix:

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The position of the ring and lever on 21xx tubas sucks, but it sucks less than not having the ring at all (in my humble opinion).

[Jerryleejr]

Most of you probably know this, but...

I've bought a bunch of stuff from Germany over the last few years. One thing that I detest more than most things is tubas missing thumb rings, and them getting lost and subsequently not included in the sale of the instrument.

If you have a new(er) MW/B&S tuba that is missing a ring, good luck trying to find one stateside. You'll either have to get one made by someone who makes things, or you can order one from Germany.

Voigt, to my understanding, supplies Buffet with these rings. They're also VERY easy to communicate with, and buy things from. Simply reach out by email, send them a picture of the ring you want, and they'll send you an invoice.

This particular ring - 64 euro base price, 40 euro expedited shipping, and another 26 or so euro for import fees, which didn't come up until the ring was stateside... Be aware of that. I don't remember if I was charged import fees on the last ring. Probably. VERY reasonably priced, and they'll send you the entire thing. It's not just the ring portion, but the little mounting post, set screws, and the tube it fits inside.

It took longer for UPS to get it to my house then it did for the ring to get from Germany to the US, FYI...

Pix:

[

[

[

The position of the ring and lever on 21xx tubas sucks, but it sucks less than not having the ring at all (in my humble opinion).

I’ve discovered “Tuba stuff” in general is special order. Things I would consider common have to come from the mothership. And given there’s no standard between manufacturers it’s increasingly difficult. Whereas the trumpet community seems to abound in just about any and all pieces and parts in stock ready to ship. I’m glad you found your thumb ring.

JJ

[arpthark]

The MW 21xx fifth valve lever position is so weird to me. It really has your thumb doing a motion that utilizes some of the big, meaty muscles in your palm to move crossways instead of a simpler up/down motion.

Buffet/VMI/JA Musik/et al got it right with the B&S piston 5th valve lever placement.

Regardless, I agree, I prefer a thumb ring 99% of the time and am glad you sourced one.

[bloke]

side topic:
comparing domestic and overseas shipping from Europe

It is actually sort of affordable to mail tuba bells from Europe to here, but it's really too expensive to mail them domestically and there's an extremely high chance that they will be dented when shipped domestically.

[TheBerlinerTuba]

Hello TubaForum,
If anyone needs anything tuba related, please write me anytime.
I manufacture a wide range of components and whatever I don't make, I can usually find it.
Cheers from Berlin,
Berliner Tuba Werkstatt