So sorry to hear this, DonO.

Hang in there . . . You can do it!

off on yet another tangent : Even the limited length/strength of reverberation in a typical U.S. venue is enough whereby if there is a an fp - crescendo or an sffz-p - crescendo , clever tuba players have realized that they can "pop" the downbeat, use the reverberation to grab a quick/deep breath ...

Love this blog post. Very useful.

Maybe the better question is why did big BBb tubas and sousaphones become the thing that middle school and high school kids play instead of Eb tubas that would be easier for kids to handle? Are there places where Eb and F are normal starter tubas, then you pick up a contrabass if you “want to do a c ...

Definitely built like a tank . . . And weigh just about as much.

I often tell folks, “If I accidentally hit a wall with one of my other tubas, I worry about the tuba. With the big Willson, I worry about the wall.”

Thanks, Bloke!

A little off topic, but I’m trying to assist a low brass colleague by replacing the rotor bumpers on her Conn 88H. What diameter do I need? 4mm? 4.5mm? 5mm?

Giddings Roland Szentpali CC.

I have the same model . . . Made just one serial number earlier than this one. It really is a good tuba . . . Used it for Pictures at an Exhibition (all movements, including Bydlo) and Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D Minor earlier this year. Played beautifully and I’ve had no mechanical issues. Would be ...

Wish I could’ve joined you! Sounds like a great time!

Decades ago, Donna Altieri supplied her tuba bags with sort of 'bra' with velcro straps to keep the valves depressed. Seemed like a good system, although the velcro won't last forever. She might have some left over in inventory, or you could probably have a seamstress (can you say that any more ...

donn wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:49 am

jonesbrass wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:24 pm Looks like a German-style baritone to me.

Which in Germany would be tenor, right?

There are differences. On second look, it is more likely to be a tenor horn. Less flare in the throat and bell. Slightly different sound.

Looks like a German-style baritone to me.

I think it’s been decades since I played the band version, but performed the orchestral version of Finlandia within the last couple of weeks. Tuba is not the “star of the show” ( is it ever?), but it sits well within the tone/timber requirements for a nice contrabass tuba. Dramatic/intense opening, a ...

Has to be a tie for me . . . Conn Fuchs Model / Bach 50B3.

bloke wrote: ↑Sat Sep 23, 2023 10:41 pm
I think there are a lot more intonation-friendly B flat tubas than C.

I also believe this . . .

Very nice!

Don is a true gentleman. We’ve had a blast playing since I got up here. He was kind enough to let me play his King 2341 . . . A fine example of American brass. Valves are butter smooth, too! Maybe the next time I come up we should see if we can take a tour of Conn-Selmer’s King manufacturing fac ...

https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_bell_ring_42cm.htm
I got mine from Thomann. Buy them a little on the small side, then heat with a blow dryer to make them stretch to fit.

Two of those rotary tubas appear to be Sanders from Wolfstein in the Rheinland-Pfalz area of Germany, not far from Kaiserslautern. One of those gents might August Helleberg.