Bach 42BO Linkage Question

[dukesboneman]

My Bach 42BO Trigger Linkage is really loud .
What`s the best and QUIETEST modification for that?
And where do I get the parts
Thanks

[calcbone]

Others will have recommendations for actual mods, but we also need to know—is this the “old” Bach linkage (pre-1998 or so) with the large adjustment screw on the ball-and-socket joint at the top of the linkage, or the “newer” one that has a rod with a small ball at each end?

The old one got a lot of complaints, but it is possible to keep it quiet if the adjustment screw is kept at just the right tightness (no play, but not so tight that it binds) and that ball joint is very well lubricated with something THICK.

The newer one…yeah, if I still had one of these (I played one in college), I’m sure I’d want to change it also…

[whitbey]

I have been doing this with my old Bach bass since the 1980’s and with the new metal valve linkages as I have acquired them. I put a gob of Vaseline on the metal sockets, then hit it with a lighter just enough to melt in the lube. My old Bach bass is still quiet and fast. Also put a gob a Vaseline on the pivot and spring and hit that with a lighter. My Cerveny oval euphonium has linkage similar to the old Bach. It does really great this way too.

[tbonesullivan]

How old is the Bach 42BO in question? They have used a few different linkages over the years. The more recent minibal linkages should be pretty quiet.

[Lastbone]

I have a 90s 42BO with noisy miniball linkages. I found that the noise came from the miniball being loose on the screw, not from the miniball itself. I used a toothpick to pack a bit of lithium grease into the hole and it quieted down. The fix has lasted 4 years so far.