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the elephant wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:10 am

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:03 pmThe guts seem to stick way out the back of that tuba…

All 163s are wrapped like this.

I know -- I've owned one, too. Just saying that maybe the camera angle, raw brass, or both, make it look more eviscerated than usual.

Still for sale. Thank you!

That's a big patch on the top bow!

Stryk wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 11:29 am That's a big patch on the top bow!

I'm not seeing it... all I see is the bow guard... same as the bottom bow, but on the top.

Plus 2 small patches on the 4th valve slide.

But really, I'm not surprised to see that. I think there was a 163 at BBC a few years ago that I think belonged to the NSO player from years ago, and I think it had the same sort of wear issues on the top bow. However, I don't think that it had been patched yet... And it needed it.

That metal is awfully thin to begin with, which is part of the allure and mystique of the handmade tuba. But after decades of heavy use, lots of which is on hot and brightly lit stages... that's a lot of sweat on a vulnerable spot on the tuba.

A well-done repair should last a good while, and who knows, it may have been covered up BEFORE anything serious happened to it.

If someone was really interested and wanted to know, they could always ask Chester himself. With no disrespect intended... you'll likely get an earful of other stuff too, but probably get your tuba answer as well.

The 163 I have from the 60s-70s has a patch (bow guard extension) on the bell side of the bow guard. I think that was common, as the instrument is hand made from sheet brass and thickness may vary. It has nothing to do with the playability of the instrument.

Is this horn still for sale? I am very interested if so. Please message me at mbd1305(at)hotmail(dot)com

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 8:49 pm But really, I'm not surprised to see that. I think there was a 163 at BBC a few years ago that I think belonged to the NSO player from years ago, and I think it had the same sort of wear issues on the top bow. However, I don't think that it had been patched yet... And it needed it.

There was. One of my former section mates has it now. He was @big1096 on the other board but I don't think he made it to this one. Hopefully I'll see him at TubaChristmas.