TromboneChat

Anyone have experience taking these off? It looks like it’s a three piece screw on weight, but I can’t get it to budge. No sticker. Is this just something that needs some penetrating oil and muscle? It may not have moved since the 70’s

Knurled edge is the ticket counter clockwise
Oil it up let sit
Gently tap s rawhide mallet
Ez like unscrew
Last resort
Vice grips

Thanks DJ, I’ll let you know how it goes

I have used Marvel Mystery Oil to pickle slides. It never damaged any lacquer and it may have better penetration than household 3 in 1. Read the label before applying Liquid Wrench or other more exotic penetrating oils. Multiple applications over a week or two may be called for.

A repair technician may be able to apply some heat to help free it up.

The repair technician also has soft jawed pliers and a calibrated forearm to swing the mallet with. He or she may shore up the offending counterweight with a block of wood and perhaps thin felt to help reduce damage to the brace.

I have one of those rubber strap wrenches I use for situations like this. Lots of torque, no damage.

Judging by the looks of the weight, it matters more than the horn, right? I'd just hacksaw the brace above and below, no damage to the weight this way.

Actually, I quite like the horn, but it’s very back heavy. It’s a bolero with an F attachment - there’s no need for the weight. It has a super focused/projecting sound right now, I’m thinking taking the weight off may dial that back a little too.

Having owned one of these (Largo, actually), DJ is correct, just unscrew the knurled part counterclockwise. If its stuck I’d use a small strap wrench.

Got it! WD40 and some patience - thank you everyone for the assist.

Glad you got it off. That WD40 is some kind of miracle elixir!

I owned a straight Bolero in the 1980's and had trouble with the counterweight as well. On that horn it was loose and rattled at certain partials, which was very annoying. I didn't think about oiling it back then but instead just took it to a shop, which remedied the problem. Now the thin lacquer coat on the horn which wore though very quickly and turned my neck and hands green, well that's a story for another day!

It’s funny how just 6 additional ounces can make your arm feel like it’s going to fall off after a while. The horn plays great without the weight now.

Do you still have this counter weight and if so, are you interested in selling it?

Just for future reference, strap wrench. Get a couple. Never use vice grips again. I use them on DE mouthpieces, valve caps, pickle jars... Very handy, and don't destroy stuff.

Sorry, it’s not with me anymore.

Thanks for letting me know.

hyperbolica wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:48 pm Just for future reference, strap wrench. Get a couple. Never use vice grips again. I use them on DE mouthpieces, valve caps, pickle jars... Very handy, and don't destroy stuff.

That's really handy advice. Thanks!