Tuba Tuesday: Holton, American-style Mammoth, BB flat tuba, c. 1927

[bisontuba]

This Tuba Tuesday the Museum features a Holton mammoth BBb tuba, which, like a Conn grand orchestral, was designed to be the foundation of a large orchestra.  The breadth of sound possible on one of these instruments places any sized ensemble on a solid foundation.
This awesome instrument has the distinction of having the largest fixed upright bell in the whole collection.  The 23“ bell of this tuba must have been special ordered, as the standard model was supplied with a 22” bell.  The front action valves were also unusual, as this model was commonly supplied with top action valves, although front action valves were available to order.  Holton’s trade name for this largest size of BBb tuba was Mammoth, and they referred to front-action valves as “American-style”.
This model gives a vision of what was to come, as the great Holton 99 and 345 models were built in the same plant as this tuba.  This tuba could be considered the grandfather of those tubas.



https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... -3-piston/

[bort2.0]

This typical large American BBb tuba is interesting to contrast with the Alexander 163, or the Sander German BBb’s. These tubas, which are the German equivalent to this Holton, have a larger bore size, and a smaller bell and body. This lends a warmth to the American style, as compared to the more direct German sound.

German equivalent?? Equal except that everything is different...?

PS, cool Holton!

[humBell]

I find the staggering of the upper bows aesthetically pleasing.

And i too had noticed (specificaly old Conns, i think?) of referring to front action instruments as "American" and had wondered about that.

[groovlow]

I find the staggering of the upper bows aesthetically pleasing.

I like some of the old designs too. I think we intuitively recognize ratios found in nature.
Could it be sacred geometry maybe, like the old temples and cathedrals.
My '41 Pan American little Eb has it ...same design as the one Bloke is selling.
Joe H

[Three Valves]

Symmetry = beauty.

[bloke]

The drop-down bows config was brought back for the C instruments in the 1960s, correct?

[matt g]

The drop-down bows config was brought back for the C instruments in the 1960s, correct?

Borrowing an image from Dave Schaafsma:



Either the top middle or bottom middle of these Holton 6/4 CC tubas is factory, I’m not sure which one. Nonetheless, the bows/branches do stagger on both.

[bloke]

The bottom center is the only one that looks to me to probably be oem CC.