Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

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hrender
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Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by arpthark »

Looks like the bracket is still there for those of you who don't have six fingers and would like to convert it to a 4+1.
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hrender (Wed May 22, 2024 12:28 pm)
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by Tubajug »

Very interesting setup with that 5th valve. Perhaps it was made for Count Rugen?

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I also noticed the bell diameter is listed as 6.5 inches. Maybe this is a rare Alexander travel tuba?? :laugh:
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by Kevbach33 »

I have tested this very tuba. It's interesting, to say the least.

It has an oversized receiver.

Aside from the awkwardness of putting the 5th valve paddle (2+3 5th btw) with the others (and NOT for the thumb) it has some intonation issues that were odd to me. This is likely me not knowing all the idiosyncracies of old Alexander CC tubas, and also me not being a CC player to begin with. (I also don't remember what they were, so don't ask.)

But as I heard first-hand, now I know what people refer to as "the Alex sound."
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by arpthark »

I see an old Alex like this and I immediately know I am going to have to play G in the staff 1-3, and use 1-2, 2-3, 1-3, and maybe even 1-2-3 for E, Eb, D, and Db in the staff. Finger calisthenics aside, I loved mine!
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by bort2.0 »

So, basically this:

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York-aholic (Wed May 22, 2024 9:01 pm)
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by Schlitzz »

Yeah, looks like it could be found in Bellingham, WA. Just glad it's not Enumclaw.......
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by bloke »

1930's...??

bloke "not so much skeptical, as - if actually 90 years old - it sure looks like it could easily have been made in the 1960's, and spent most of its life in a hard case"
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Schlitzz (Wed May 22, 2024 8:34 pm)
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by Schlitzz »

What a closet case…..
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bloke (Wed May 22, 2024 8:59 pm)
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by bloke »

Schlitzz wrote: Wed May 22, 2024 8:34 pm What a closet case…..
That's golden !


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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by sugawi »

bloke wrote: Wed May 22, 2024 8:26 pm 1930's...??

bloke "not so much skeptical, as - if actually 90 years old - it sure looks like it could easily have been made in the 1960's, and spent most of its life in a hard case"
Looks pre-WWII.

Here’s Alex from 50’s:

Image
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bloke (Thu May 23, 2024 5:08 pm)
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by humBell »

bort2.0 wrote: Wed May 22, 2024 10:49 am So, basically this:

So... a Fozzy 163?
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by bloke »

Yeah. Some small differences there for sure
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Re: Reverb WA: 1930s Alex 163

Post by Stryk »

If I didn't already have 3 of 'em, I'd go for it!
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