ISO YEB-321 valves
- BlueRidgeTeacher
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ISO YEB-321 valves
I'm looking to see if I can find a deal on a set of valves for a YEB-321 that use nylon valve guides. I have someone who might be able to 3D print replacements for the old screw-in metal guides. But I'd like to get as many options as I can.
And if there are already 3D scans out there, that would be great.
Thanks!
And if there are already 3D scans out there, that would be great.
Thanks!
Eastman 853
Willson 3400 FA-5S
Yamaha YEP-321S
Willson 3400 FA-5S
Yamaha YEP-321S
- arpthark
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
Just to confirm, you're talking about the YEB-321 four-valve E-flat tuba?BlueRidgeTeacher wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 8:28 am I'm looking to see if I can find a deal on a set of valves for a YEB-321 that use nylon valve guides. I have someone who might be able to 3D print replacements for the old screw-in metal guides. But I'd like to get as many options as I can.
And if there are already 3D scans out there, that would be great.
Thanks!
I just ask because you have a YEP-321 listed in your signature.

- BlueRidgeTeacher
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
Eb tuba. It’s my son’s.
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- arpthark (Thu Jul 23, 2026 10:57 am)
Eastman 853
Willson 3400 FA-5S
Yamaha YEP-321S
Willson 3400 FA-5S
Yamaha YEP-321S
- bloke
- Mid South Music
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
They still make them, yes?
I can't imagine why anyone would have any spares...??
Lots of stores and shops can order them.
I can't imagine why anyone would have any spares...??
Lots of stores and shops can order them.
- BlueRidgeTeacher
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
My local store looked into it and the 4th valve is apparently no longer available/discontinued. I was hoping a shop or technician might have a valve cluster or a horn for parts lying around.
Eastman 853
Willson 3400 FA-5S
Yamaha YEP-321S
Willson 3400 FA-5S
Yamaha YEP-321S
- bloke
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
I guess I could check and see if that's true. It seems odd unless they've discontinued the model.
Here's something else you could consider even though it's sort of outside the box:
Other than the 15-in bell flare, those instruments and the Chinese knockoffs of the E-flat compensating instruments are very much the same. If you found a Chinese three plus one compensating E flat for cheap and wanted the sonic characteristics of the Yamaha with a 15 inch bell, you could either transplant the Yamaha bell to the Chinese instrument or you could transplant the entire Chinese valve section to the Yamaha instrument.
I guess you've got my curiosity up, and I might eventually check and see for myself if that valve is really discontinued.
Of course, you would enjoy several more low range pitches that are pretty darn close to In tune with the 3+1 compensating system. As the model 321 sits, the last usable pitch is A natural, and it's pretty sharp. A flat is terribly sharp (or terribly flat, depending on which valves you try out), low G is sort of close to In tune, and there really aren't any good choices for low G flat, F, or E natural until you get down to the really low open E flat.
My favorite E flat tubas are the old school English ones that are 3+1 compensating, and with a 15-in bell. If you went for something like what I suggest above, that's what you would have.
... and if I find a minute, I'm going to look into that valve issue myself.
Here's something else you could consider even though it's sort of outside the box:
Other than the 15-in bell flare, those instruments and the Chinese knockoffs of the E-flat compensating instruments are very much the same. If you found a Chinese three plus one compensating E flat for cheap and wanted the sonic characteristics of the Yamaha with a 15 inch bell, you could either transplant the Yamaha bell to the Chinese instrument or you could transplant the entire Chinese valve section to the Yamaha instrument.
I guess you've got my curiosity up, and I might eventually check and see for myself if that valve is really discontinued.
Of course, you would enjoy several more low range pitches that are pretty darn close to In tune with the 3+1 compensating system. As the model 321 sits, the last usable pitch is A natural, and it's pretty sharp. A flat is terribly sharp (or terribly flat, depending on which valves you try out), low G is sort of close to In tune, and there really aren't any good choices for low G flat, F, or E natural until you get down to the really low open E flat.
My favorite E flat tubas are the old school English ones that are 3+1 compensating, and with a 15-in bell. If you went for something like what I suggest above, that's what you would have.
... and if I find a minute, I'm going to look into that valve issue myself.
- jose the tuba player
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
I believe he's looking for the newer style Yamaha valves which use the plastic valve guides. The yeb201 which is the 3 valve version is still offered in Japan. The old style screw in metal valve guides are out of stock. I have the og one piece style on my 103 carcass and the new style that was split and I'm not sure if the screws are different and if they are if the screws are still made.bloke wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:57 pm I guess I could check and see if that's true. It seems odd unless they've discontinued the model.
Here's something else you could consider even though it's sort of outside the box:
Other than the 15-in bell flare, those instruments and the Chinese knockoffs of the E-flat compensating instruments are very much the same. If you found a Chinese three plus one compensating E flat for cheap and wanted the sonic characteristics of the Yamaha with a 15 inch bell, you could either transplant the Yamaha bell to the Chinese instrument or you could transplant the entire Chinese valve section to the Yamaha instrument.
I guess you've got my curiosity up, and I might eventually check and see for myself if that valve is really discontinued.
Of course, you would enjoy several more low range pitches that are pretty darn close to In tune with the 3+1 compensating system. As the model 321 sits, the last usable pitch is A natural, and it's pretty sharp. A flat is terribly sharp (or terribly flat, depending on which valves you try out), low G is sort of close to In tune, and there really aren't any good choices for low G flat, F, or E natural until you get down to the really low open E flat.
My favorite E flat tubas are the old school English ones that are 3+1 compensating, and with a 15-in bell. If you went for something like what I suggest above, that's what you would have.
... and if I find a minute, I'm going to look into that valve issue myself.
- jose the tuba player
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
viewtopic.php?p=129510#p129510jose the tuba player wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2026 4:25 amI believe he's looking for the newer style Yamaha valves which use the plastic valve guides. The yeb201 which is the 3 valve version is still offered in Japan. The old style screw in metal valve guides are out of stock. I have the og one piece style on my 103 carcass and the new style that was split and I'm not sure if the screws are different and if they are if the screws are still made.bloke wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:57 pm I guess I could check and see if that's true. It seems odd unless they've discontinued the model.
Here's something else you could consider even though it's sort of outside the box:
Other than the 15-in bell flare, those instruments and the Chinese knockoffs of the E-flat compensating instruments are very much the same. If you found a Chinese three plus one compensating E flat for cheap and wanted the sonic characteristics of the Yamaha with a 15 inch bell, you could either transplant the Yamaha bell to the Chinese instrument or you could transplant the entire Chinese valve section to the Yamaha instrument.
I guess you've got my curiosity up, and I might eventually check and see for myself if that valve is really discontinued.
Of course, you would enjoy several more low range pitches that are pretty darn close to In tune with the 3+1 compensating system. As the model 321 sits, the last usable pitch is A natural, and it's pretty sharp. A flat is terribly sharp (or terribly flat, depending on which valves you try out), low G is sort of close to In tune, and there really aren't any good choices for low G flat, F, or E natural until you get down to the really low open E flat.
My favorite E flat tubas are the old school English ones that are 3+1 compensating, and with a 15-in bell. If you went for something like what I suggest above, that's what you would have.
... and if I find a minute, I'm going to look into that valve issue myself.
He has the new style of the valve guide that's split down the middle.
- jose the tuba player
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
Why not 3d scan the existing valve guides and mess with the tolerance incrementally until you find the size that works?BlueRidgeTeacher wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 8:28 am I'm looking to see if I can find a deal on a set of valves for a YEB-321 that use nylon valve guides. I have someone who might be able to 3D print replacements for the old screw-in metal guides. But I'd like to get as many options as I can.
And if there are already 3D scans out there, that would be great.
Thanks!
- bloke
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
Well whatever.
I've always been under the impression that the new style Yamaha valves with plastic guides on top arere about 1/8 of an inch shorter (then the old metal guide pistons) to accommodate those guides, whereby the new style valves will work in the old style instruments.
Of course, the new stems are longer (as well as being frail, due to their necessary design) and etc.
I've always been under the impression that the new style Yamaha valves with plastic guides on top arere about 1/8 of an inch shorter (then the old metal guide pistons) to accommodate those guides, whereby the new style valves will work in the old style instruments.
Of course, the new stems are longer (as well as being frail, due to their necessary design) and etc.
- jose the tuba player
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Re: ISO YEB-321 valves
BlueRidgeTeacher wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:36 pm My local store looked into it and the 4th valve is apparently no longer available/discontinued. I was hoping a shop or technician might have a valve cluster or a horn for parts lying around.
The number 4 piston is available according to the Yamaha 24/7 website.
