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Happy Tuba Tuesday. Today, the Museum features a King, 1280 Symphony, BB flat tuba, 4 rotary, c.1933.

The King Symphony model orchestra bass was designed in the 30’s to enable a bass player to easily switch back and forth between a stringed double bass and a tuba. It was designed to be played standing up, and came with its own stand. This short lived instrument went away when tuba/double bass doubling fell out of fashion.

Serial #: 157201

Bell Diameter 21 3/4”, Bore Size .750, Height 65 1/4”, w/o stand.

Comments:

“KING / MADE BY / THE / H.N. WHITE / CO. / CLEVELAND / OHIO” on bell. Ornate floral design engraved on bell around identificaton marks.



https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... hony-tuba/

ISTR this might also have been known as a "pit tuba", for use in orchestra pits of stage plays. If it's the same model, Joe Tarto of the Cities Service Band of America played one, and its nickname was used as the title for the march "Big Joe, The Tuba".