John fletcher's Tuba for sale by the LSO - EEb

[andycat]

"A rare opportunity to own one of the tubas that changed British history!
The Fletcher family have decided to sell this wonderful instrument following the death of John’s widow, Margaret Cable.
The proceeds of the sale are to be entirely donated to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
The John Fletcher Tuba was custom made by Boosey & Hawkes in the late 1960s/early 1970s (Fletcher negotiated a loan from the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1964 when he was a member from 1964-1967).
The serial number from the B&H workshop is stamped on the back of the bell (you might need a magnifying glass to see some of the numbers though!).
The tuba was built to John Fletcher’s own specification. These innovations included a larger bell and lead pipe.
Fletcher wanted to move away from the brass band tuba model that B&H specialised in, to a tuba with a sound that was better suited to the mid-20th century symphony orchestra.
Gale Lawson (renowned brass instrument repairer) looked over this tuba in August 2024 and enthused deeply over its brilliant playing and cosmetic condition.
I have been using the tuba on and off with the LSO, and it is simply beautiful to play.
Unfortunately, I am used to the 982-style leadpipe shape and this instrument simply won’t work for me.
Otherwise, I would have bought it immediately, but I couldn’t bring myself to modify the instrument at all and I sincerely hope the instrument’s future owner won’t alter it either due to it’s history.
This very tuba can be seen being played by Fletcher on the enormously popular YouTube videos of his Flight of the Bumblebee and Czardas performances, amongst others.
To arrange a possible viewing and opportunity to try the tuba, I can occasionally find time around the LSO rehearsal and concert schedule at the Barbican Centre, London.
Unfortunately, I can’t allow the instrument to leave the building until purchase.
Please send me a direct message with any enquiries.
Serious offers will be passed on to the family for consideration.
Thanks,
Ben Thomson - London Symphony Orchestra"

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1130819 ... 1600354470

[gocsick]

I am sure it is a wonderful tuba but £1,234,567 seems a little dear. /s

[arpthark]

Probably the nicest example of a mid-century Besson/B&H I've ever seen. I guess that tracks, considering the provenance.

[Retrovoice]

Fletcher’s performance of the Vaughn Williams concerto with Previn/LSO is my all time favorite.

[bloke]

I'm glad it's being sold instead of being put behind a piece of glass to collect dust.

In my view, it's pretty silly to put modern absolutely functional equipment on display - in other words going to waste - only based on its provenance.

[Billy M.]

Had I the scratch for this, I’d have already reached out and said “take it off the market, it’s mine.”

As such, that is not the case. Always loved Mr. Fletcher’s playing. Someone will be getting something really special.

[Mark E. Chachich]

I heard John Fletcher play the second movement of the Vaughn Williams Tuba Concerto at the International Brass Conference in 1982. He was a great musician.

He also gave a lecture that was both informative and funny.

Mark

[LeMark]

Damn so tempting