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If I were to build a lap cimbasso a-la Jim Self Jimbasso, what are the options? It sounds like Self used a Yammie 621 F as a starting point, but there is probably something more economical. Also, what stock parts could you use for the body/bell? It would want to be a front facing bell, I'd think. Kind of proportioned like a baritone, but half again as big. Or do you just buy a Wessex Bubbie5 and be done with it?

Maybe not what you were looking for, but Kalison (later G&P) made one which could be rested on a chair or lap like a tuba.

I started with the valve set from my Eb tuba (the valve set used to be in CC from my Hirsbrunner HB2P), added several feet of straight pipe so it would be predominantly a cylindrical instrument, made a bell section and then a leadpipe. Voilà: lap cimbasso.

UncleBeer wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:37 am ...made a bell section and then a leadpipe. Voilà: lap cimbasso.

That looks cool. Made a bell section from what? I assume you didn't just spin your own bell (looks bigger than a bass bone bell)? And was the rear bow from something like a trombonium or a baritone?

bone-a-phone wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:40 pm

UncleBeer wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:37 am ...made a bell section and then a leadpipe. Voilà: lap cimbasso.

That looks cool. Made a bell section from what? I assume you didn't just spin your own bell (looks bigger than a bass bone bell)? And was the rear bow from something like a trombonium or a baritone?

Thanks! I didn't spin the last 5 inches before the rim; I chopped 'em off a French horn bell. It always seemed to me that on a valved contrabass trombone, that *all* the dimensions should be larger, and that most (well...ALL!) cimbassi have undersized bells by that criterion. So I hard-soldered the last 5 inches of a French horn bell onto a flare I made from sheet brass. The rear bow was made from straight pipe I tapered using draw rings. Not really hard at all, and it plays!

@UncleBeer oh, yes, you're one of those. So jealous. A French horn, damn. I was hoping for some success from an amateur, but horn porn is just as good. Thanks for posting. Beautiful ax.

bone-a-phone wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:14 pm @UncleBeer oh, yes, you're one of those. So jealous. A French horn, damn. I was hoping for some success from an amateur, but horn porn is just as good. Thanks for posting. Beautiful ax.

Thank you! I was inspired by a visit to the Melton plant years ago, expecting to see experts in lab coats with slide rules. They were just big boys in overalls with some metal working skills. I went home, resolved to pick up a few simple but essential skills. It ain't hard at all, and the feeling of accomplishment when you assemble a working instrument is indescribable!

*

I get that originally someone just put tuba valves on a trombone, but you'd think these instruments could evolve a little to something less wonky. Like a contrabass trombonium or something. Even if they look like a bass trombone and a bassoon having a tryst, I love the sound of a good cimbasso, with a nice low bark here and there.

Also interesting that although the originals seem to be in F, a fair number of custom jobs are in Eb. As a trombonist, I think I'd go for F because it's the logical extension of bass bone F attachment.

This is the G&P Milano (Kalison) cimbasso. This is a one-off in F. They will build one in whatever key you want, but it's expensive. I like the shape and have no problem with the bell facing up, but I have to say that UncleBeer's horn looks like a really good solution.

Hup

hup_d_dup wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2020 9:55 am I like the shape and have no problem with the bell facing up

One of the most fantastic things about cimbasso (if played right) for a tuba player is hearing your sound off the back wall of the concert hall. It's a real power trip!

Since the other trombones are facing forward, it seems musically correct that the 'valve contrabass trombonist's' bell also faces forward. Just my 2 cents.

hup_d_dup wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2020 9:55 am This is the G&P Milano (Kalison) cimbasso. This is a one-off in F. ...

Yeah, that's a nice form factor, but with a forward facing bell. @UncleBeer is right, you'd never play a trombone bell up like that. But as a trombonist, I'd like something less of an ergonomic disaster than a bass trombone is. 5 valves seems about right too.

I agree with Unc's observation (regarding the experience), but I strongly suspect that instruments actually used in Italy in the 1800's - to play those designated parts - more resembled the one in hup's picture. It's obvious (based on what I built for myself) that I prefer playing a bell-forward contrabass valve trombone.

fwiw...
I'm not planning on trolling people into another fifty-page thread, as in the past.
Having mastered trolling, I've graduated to barn-building.

this bell seems like it could make a cimbasso project.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303557383001

Oedipoes wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:36 am How about this B&F one in Vienna, would make a great cimbasso project!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/779245518 ... 4005714546

holy cr@p that thing is awesome. Too bad it's very expensive.

Is that a euphonium bell/body with a tuba valveset?

LargeTuba wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:47 am

Oedipoes wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:36 am How about this B&F one in Vienna, would make a great cimbasso project!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/779245518 ... 4005714546

holy cr@p that thing is awesome. Too bad it's very expensive.

I love that thing just as it is. Too bad it sold. I've wanted a German style bass for a long time

Tubajug wrote: Sat Sep 26, 2020 7:40 am Is that a euphonium bell/body with a tuba valveset?

That looks like an accurate assessment.