Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

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SaigonSlide
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Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by SaigonSlide »

Hi everyone! I have read here and there about the lead pipe on stock Bach 16Ms being weird. I have a 16M LT from the late 80s that has the original lead pipe. I have never felt like that horn plays as easily as it could and I'm considering changing the lead pipe but really don't know what to do and who to do it.

Any thoughts from folks?
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Bonearzt »

Lead pipes are a strange & interesting item.
No two are exactly alike, even of the same model.

So you'll have to try several once you get the original pulled.

The only way to try them is to play them in actual playing situations if at all possible!!! You will not get the same feeling just noodling around in a practice room, And when you try them, don't look at which is which.


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Slidemo
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Slidemo »

Remember if you pull the pipe you usually loose the existing pipe or inner side in the process! (Or both!)

A good way to try new pipes is to put a new top inner tube in and leave the old pipe/inner in tact. That way you can put the horn back if you don't find the pipe of your dreams.

Hamo
baileyman
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by baileyman »

My 9 slide came with a removable 402 pipe, which is I think the standard 16M pipe. In the 9, it's a ferocious paint peeler. I assume that it is providing the same service to the 16M, and sounds okay, which suggests to me that the 16M may be rather a dull beast otherwise.

[edited 401 to 402]
Last edited by baileyman on Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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BGuttman
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by BGuttman »

16M has both tubes at 0.509". The original 16 had a dual bore with the top tube at 0.495" similar to your 9.
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Burgerbob
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Burgerbob »

Kanstul H8 is apparently a good replacement. I'm thinking about one for mine as well. I like this horn but every once in a while it does just the weirdest things.
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TheBoneRanger
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by TheBoneRanger »

I had the pipe pulled on mine. Made a huge difference. Currently using a Shires 2.5.

Here’s a picture of a standard Shires pipe next to the 16m pipe. Strange beast indeed.

Image

Andrew
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by brassmedic »

Slidemo wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 7:11 am Remember if you pull the pipe you usually loose the existing pipe or inner side in the process! (Or both!)

A good way to try new pipes is to put a new top inner tube in and leave the old pipe/inner in tact. That way you can put the horn back if you don't find the pipe of your dreams.

Hamo
Not true. I would say 95% of the time I get them out just fine. Anyone who is destroying the pipe and/or tube more than 50% of the time really should not be attempting to do that kind of work.
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Bonearzt »

brassmedic wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 12:52 pm
Slidemo wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 7:11 am Remember if you pull the pipe you usually loose the existing pipe or inner side in the process! (Or both!)

A good way to try new pipes is to put a new top inner tube in and leave the old pipe/inner in tact. That way you can put the horn back if you don't find the pipe of your dreams.
Hamo
Not true. I would say 95% of the time I get them out just fine. Anyone who is destroying the pipe and/or tube more than 50% of the time really should not be attempting to do that kind of work.
Exactly!! But I do warn my customers that there is a good probability that the pipe won't some out easily or in one piece. JUST for that 5 percenter that is fused to the inner tube!!


Eric
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Bach5G
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Bach5G »

You might contact Brass Ark/Noah G (although wasn’t that Brad Close above?) and see what they can do. They made a .509 32H leadpipe for my Bach slide that seems like a keeper. Pretty subtle stuff though.
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Driswood »

TheBoneRanger wrote: Mon Dec 24, 2018 12:43 pm I had the pipe pulled on mine. Made a huge difference. Currently using a Shires 2.5.

Here’s a picture of a standard Shires pipe next to the 16m pipe. Strange beast indeed.

Image

Andrew
I should have pulled the pipe on my mid 80’s 16M. I knew it had a shorter pipe, but WOW! Would have firmed up the slotting I bet. Maybe I would still have it.
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dukesboneman
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by dukesboneman »

I have a Kanstul H8 pipe in my 16MG.
It made all the difference in how it plays.
Slots better, much better upper range. I think it sounds a little darker
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by mrdeacon »

Is it just the later 16Ms with the funky short pipe or do the regular 16s also have the funky pipe too?
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Burgerbob
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Burgerbob »

mrdeacon wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:42 pm Is it just the later 16Ms with the funky short pipe or do the regular 16s also have the funky pipe too?
16 has a different upper slide tube with a "normal" leadpipe.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
Cmillar
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Re: Modified lead pipe for Bach 16M

Post by Cmillar »

The stock leadpipe on my 16 (regular duo-bore) is 5.75" long.

Seems pretty short compared to two other leadpipes I'm trying to decide on.

I still like the initial feel and blow of the middle Bb on my stock pipe...but, once I warm up a bit, I find it lacking throughout the range of the horn compared to a BrassArk pipe or a Kanstul pipe.

But everytime I try a different mouthpiece, I have to go through the whole deal of seeing which leadpipe is best with a particular mouthpiece, which is a real drag, and can get very confusing depending on the day and feel of the chops.

Hmmm.....but, I think there are definitely better pipe options than the stock Bach.
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