Alexander 163 BBb

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

I'm pretty sure this is a B&S/VMI stencil for Alexander. The bore size, playing characteristics, all point that way (for better and worse). It was in pretty rough shape when I got it, and has been brought back to playing condition. It still has some dents and lots of scratches. Plus it was re-lacquered at some point in its history. I've decided that I like my other large BBb better, so it's time to move it on.

Asking $3500 with a Protec gigbag, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I'd prefer not to ship it, but would at the buyers expense.

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

Bump for price update - $3500

[Stryk]

I've never heard of Alexander putting their name on someone else's horn. Hmm

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

It might be an Alexander bell on an older B&S/Weltklang body. I am not sure what happened in its loooong lifetime. The bracing and bore size says B&S to me, which is different that the logo engraved on the bell. I have a couple of other Alexander tubas here, and have owned a number of others.

I just wanted to be as accurate as possible when describing what this one actually is. Whatever it is, it plays better than it probably should!

[Joel Bristor]

The seller is to be commended for his openness in trying to accurately describe this odd tuba.

I don't think the bell is an Alexander bell and the rest of the tuba is, at best, questionable as an Alex 163. The engraving is unlike any I have seen (quite a few). For one thing, it says "Ger. Alexander" perhaps as in Gerhard where a real Alex would say "Gebr. Alexander" as in Gebruder (the brothers). Even the style of that engraving looks a little off from any Alex I have seen. Still, there was likely some variability in the engraving style.

[greenbean]

VMI stencil gets my vote!

This sure looks like a VMI product..