TubaForum.net

TLDR; Look at the pictures and tell me how much is too much to spend.

Last summer, I picked up this 1895 Conn Eb from an estate auction for $30. It was dirty and dreadfully tarnished... But cleaned up quite nicely on the bell and revealed some fantastic engraving, both extensive in length and how "deeply" engraved it is (it's quite noticeable to run your fingers over it, and feel it). At the most basic level, it is playable, but fragile due to the missing braces.

The valves move. Most slides move. Everything was greased and oiled when I got it, and there is much silver wear on the tuba... All signs that the tuba was used, a lot, at some point over the years.

Below are photos of the tuba in it's current state...

* About 3 braces are missing; several others are replacements that are poorly soldered in place
* The 3rd valve slide crook is unsoldered from the tubes... And appears to have been poorly repaired at some point.
* The "bead" or "rim" of the bell is separating from the rest of the bell. IDK if this is tragic, or something that solder could fix
* The leadpipe needs a bunch of help

End goal, I want it to be playable at a "Tuba Christmas" level. or better. I have few expectations, and don't want to sink major $$$ into this thing. But, I wouldn't mind spending a little money to stabilize it and get it in its way to being more viable. My Martin Medium Eb needs a small Eb brother!

So... Vote and help me decide what to do with this thing.

Anything is possible with sufficient funding.

But it's best purpose in this world would be if you placed it in the middle of the road to prevent a squirrel from being run over by a vehicle.

A noble end.

restaurant decor

Not even useful for solder practice?

You already have a nicer old Eb. I wouldn’t sink much, if any, money into this one. That bell bead is probably going to be the biggest issue. I might hunt around for another bell that fits rather than trying to fix that one.

I have an old Pan-Am Eb that has similar issues to this one. Leadpipe is a mess, valves are worn, there’s holes and leaks everywhere. It will be useful to me as solder and repair practice. In my eyes, I can’t F it up any worse than it already is. That’s what I’d do to this one.

If you really like the way it plays, maybe spend some dough to get it in to good working/playing condition. Otherwise, it would be a waste of resources. If you spend the money to put it into "really nice" condition, you will spend more on the work required than this thing is worth.

Sousaswag wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 7:47 am You already have a nicer old Eb. I wouldn’t sink much, if any, money into this one. That bell bead is probably going to be the biggest issue.

It will be useful to me as solder and repair practice. In my eyes, I can’t F it up any worse than it already is. That’s what I’d do to this one.

The Martin is 100% ready to go. Ok, needs new valve felts, but it's ready to play, and plays well. That's definitely a consideration, but the goal with the Conn is just to improve it for occasional use, nothing serious. For the bell bead, I just want it to not cut me anymore.

Doc wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 7:51 am If you really like the way it plays, maybe spend some dough to get it in to good working/playing condition. Otherwise, it would be a waste of resources. If you spend the money to put it into "really nice" condition, you will spend more on the work required than this thing is worth.

Definitely NOT looking to spend much money on it. It's not that I like the way it plays, I like that it plays at all. Best part about the instrument is the heavy engraving, and really, that's the reason why I'd want to take it anywhere. I just 1) don't want it to fall apart while I'm holding/carrying it and 2) don't want to cut myself on jagged metal edges.

Nope.

For some crazy reason this thing is tugging at your heartstrings. I second solder and maybe valve venting practice. I don't even see it as a Tuba Christmas horn but that's just my opinion and opinions are like @$$****$ everyone's got one!

Worth wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 10:34 am For some crazy reason this thing is tugging at your heartstrings. I second solder and maybe valve venting practice. I don't even see it as a Tuba Christmas horn but that's just my opinion and opinions are like @$$****$ everyone's got one!

...And they all stink. 'Cept mine, of course.

Worth wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 10:34 am For some crazy reason this thing is tugging at your heartstrings. I second solder and maybe valve venting practice. I don't even see it as a Tuba Christmas horn but that's just my opinion and opinions are like @$$****$ everyone's got one!

I'm not sure I understand the hate for this tuba!

Again, I have no expectations. The engraving is pretty, and that's what I like about it. :) A benchmark of "not falling apart and not cutting me" seems like a pretty low bar for repairs and minimal cleanup.

Get it playable enough that you can win the "oldest tuba" honor at your next TubaChristmas.

I vote you do everything.

Spend $4,000 for a new Gronitz Maw Valveset
Spend $2,000 to assemble it
Spend $2,500 to get it plated in frosted silver

Total: $8,500

LargeTuba wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 12:30 pm I vote you do everything.

Spend $4,000 for a new Gronitz Maw Valveset
Spend $2,000 to assemble it
Spend $2,500 to get it plated in frosted silver

Total: $6,500

Well, if you're offering a $2,000 discount...

In all seriousness, I think you should sell it and buy a sub $1,000 4 valve Eb tuba. If you're patient I'm sure you can find a steal.
Yamaha YEB321
Cerveny 4 valve
Miraphone 4 valve
old Boosey and Hawkes
Old Holton
Ect

My YEB321 cost about $1100.

I've had two of these. The first was my first tuba and a beater, an L&H stencil that played very well. Intonation was surprisingly good (set me up for my following old Eb's ), Bb and A right below middle C were a bit sharp, everything else was fine. Great sound, easy to play, could take all the air young Bob could push through it. I still have the second one. Seems more fragile but looks better. Flat F and Bb in the staff, everything else seems fine. It sits in the spare room next to my H.N White/King 'medium' Eb, my two euphs and my bass trombone. I've finally brought the cimbasso out into the living room so there's that.

i'm having a similar problem deciding what to do with two 1910/12 versions of Eb York & Sons silver tubas... i was told by persons on the Dave Werden forum that they are a model 641 (or maybe a 642). they said several nice things about them. one is playable and actually plays pretty well. i sent it off for some maintenance. it is a HIGH PITCH instrument, i can pull everything out and add a sousaphone bit to the lead pipe and get it close to 440.

the other is in pieces, but i have them all, i'm pretty sure...

i sent pictures to my repair guy and offered him the one in pieces if he would modify it to 440 or make it an F.

he is interested... i may go that route instead of YARD ART or a support for my MAILBOX at the end of the lane... my wife suggested garden FOUNTAIN... but i just can't seem to bring myself to doing that.

I personally love the mailbox idea and if it were mine, would do that.

Whimsical mailboxes are fun, but - as we are long past the 1960's/1970's (long-past living in a civilized society) - soon after they are erected, they are usually maliciously destroyed.