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Minibal Links

Minibals (shown here on a Bach 50B3 bass trombone) are precision-made all steel rod-end links that are ideal replacement linkages for use on brass instruments.   They have no excess play, need no maintenance aside from occasional oiling, and have nothing to go out of adjustment.  Designed for heavy industrial use, not model planes, wear or breakage is never a problem. They move freely in two planes (or they can be constrained to a single plane, if desired), making them useful in a wide variety of applications. Used with stainless steel rods they reduce the weight of the whole linkage, resulting in faster action.

We stock Minibal links in sizes suitable for trumpets, trombones, and tubas.  Typical applications include:

• Convert the noisy, loose linkages on Bach trombones to silent, fast Minibal links.

• Replace worn mechanical pin links on rotary trumpets, horns, and tubas.

• Replace loose and readily breakable plastic links on some German tubas, Holton trombones, etc.

• Build articulated links for horns with one-piece levers.

• Replace worn Alexander thumb lever linkages.

• Replace string action on some Czech tubas.  (Please note that string action replacement requires reversing the valve action or rebuilding the stop arm.

• Any application where fast, light, dependable links are needed.

(Click on the picture to enlarge)
In this typical application,  the string linkages of a Czervany tuba have been replaced with Minibal links at both ends.  The action of the rotors has been reversed by repositioning the stop plates. (Resulting in a positive porting of Nos. 1 and 2. This procedure is not needed when the original linkage is mechanical.)  Stainless steel action rods were used for lightness and rigidity and the links attached to the levers were constrained in one plane to eliminate wasted motion.  The original cork stops have been replaced with buna-n bumpers.

The cost of a Minibal conversion is $60 per link.  The total cost of the job depends on the complexity and the number of links used. In this example eight links were used ($60x8=$480) and the direction of the rotors has been reversed ($40x4=$160).  (We can also build linkages using plastic ball links for less critical applications.) If you wish, we can fit a Minibal linkage to a new lever and stop arm (Bach or Conn trombones only) so that you can install it yourself.  We will credit your card for the cost when you return the original parts (in condition suitable for reuse).

PHONE: 1 (781) 646-5756

FAX: 1 (781) 646-2480

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