Thumb Rings
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:45 pm
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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[
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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).
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).