TubaForum.net

OK...
There's one for sale.
I'm not in the market.
I noticed some significant denting on the back of the bottom bow.
I do not view that denting as significantly devaluing the instrument, because it's easy to fix very well without removing the bow, and it's very easy to fix it extraordinarily well by removing it...
...so (to be VERY clear), I'm not running down that instrument that is for sale.

The denting, though, does bring me to ask a simple question - and only out of curiosity:

Is/was the model 197 made of thinner sheet brass than other Melton/Meinl-Weston tubas (more like the .5mm thick sheet brass that is/was used to make many Bohemian tubas) ?

- bloke " .- / - . ... - --..-- / - --- / ... . . / .... --- .-- / -- .- -. -.-- / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / .--. --- ... - / .. -. / - .... .. ... / - .... .-. . .- -.. / .-- .... --- / -.-. .- -. -. --- - / .- -. ... .-- . .-. / - .... . / --.- ..- . ... - .. --- -. / .- ... -.- . -.. "

I'm pretty sure the answer is "yes"... Because that usually seems to be the case with "bigger than usual" bows, which are not needed to be produced in large quantities, and we'll, it's a hassle to hand-form bows from thick metal

The model that is for sale here in the Forum isnt made of thinner sheet metal because its the normal 197 and not the 197/2. the normal 197 is very heavy. Its not handmade....

I'm still offering myself up for hire - if the buyer decides to have the bottom bow smoothed out, because I've never played a 197, and am interested in playing more of the (not-all-that-common) kaiser BB-flat models.

Though they 197 and 197-2 likely feel different resting on my thighs, they likely sound/respond very much the same.

Moreover, I tend to try to ignore the tactile and try to focus on the aural.

Wish I could make this happen for you, Joe. That tuba looks like FUN!

bloke wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 10:46 am I'm still offering myself up for hire - if the buyer decides to have the bottom bow smoothed out, because I've never played a 197, and am interested in playing more of the (not-all-that-common) kaiser BB-flat models.

Though they 197 and 197-2 likely feel different resting on my thighs, they likely sound/respond very much the same.

Moreover, I tend to try to ignore the tactile and try to focus on the aural.

The 197 responds very different than the 197/2..... BUT there are 197 with a really really good sound.
Once I played the very first ever made 197, it was nearly unplayable. Very hard to play low register, very stiffy, very out of tune. But i've also played a few modified normal 197 tgat sounded very nice. For 7000 $ its worth to buy and modify it!!