Alexander in C

[Stryk]

I just spent some time with my Alex BBb this morning. It has absolutely the sound I am searching for, but I will never be fluent in BBb, so I want the same sound in C. Do the Cs have the same rich sound as the BBb horns do? I know the pitch issues are bad at times, but it's been 40+ years since I have heard one live.

[LeMark]

and here I thought this thread was going to be about @Alex C

My first thought was "oh no! I hope he's ok!!"

[Stryk]

and here I thought this thread was going to be about @Alex C

My first thought was "oh no! I hope he's ok!!"

OOPS - LOL

[bloke]

Most any tuba or trumpet with a very similar body and bell - in both B-flat and C-versions - tends to emit a more bright sound in the C version. Oddly – at least to me - the 6/4 tubas seem to be the exceptions, as (at least - to my ears) the C versions seem to emit a more dull sound.

[bort2.0]

I'm not sure how to answer your question, but I would just say to GO FOR IT and buy an Alexander CC if you get the chance. Seems like they come in waves... nothing for a while, then several all at once.

I bought mine about 6 months ago, and I've loved every second with it, because of the sound. It's full, rich, and lively... is that identical to the BBb? I dunno... but it's going to be a whole lot more similar than different.

[Stryk]

It's full, rich, and lively... is that identical to the BBb? \

It is. The first time I played it, I thought "that's the sound". The BBb has very minor pitch issues, how about your C? I have heard horror stories about some of them.

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

Terry,

I've owned multiple Alexander CC tubas, but only one Alex BBb so I feel like I should chime in here. And I still play an Alex CC as my main tuba (almost 20 years on it!). They are all pretty different from instrument to instrument not just from BBb to CC. While it is true that some Alexander's have major pitch issues, most of them are very workable. They seem to be designed with a more traditional German approach. I'll try and explain that a little better.

Every good, large bore German BBb that I have played has a few similar characteristics (All Alexanders, Big Mirafones, my current Rudy 5/4 BBb too, etc). The one you mentioned (a rich dark sound) is the most prominent to us as tuba players. The others are more subtle but still present in rotary BBb's.

The tuning slide lengths are set up at the factory to be closer to a 3 valve tuba with a slightly longer 4th valve wrap. By this I mean that the 2-4 combo is usually tuned slightly sharp and the 4th valve alone is usually slightly flat. It is often the case that the 4th valve slide is long enough that you can adjust it for both of those notes to be played in tune. (While this is true on most large CC tubas now, that was not always the case.) Even on my 5 valve Alex 163 I think of it as a 4 valve tuba with an extra "tuning" valve.

A common fingering for German players/tubas is to use 3rd valve for most 1-2 combos. It goes a step further though, you have to be open to playing notes with a 1-3 combo instead of 4. On my Alexander CC I can play a good G at the bottom of the staff open. But the G below that is better if played 1-3.... it works ok with 4 but is more centered 1-3. (This isn't just an Alexander problem, most York style 6/4's I've played have a better D below staff when fingered 1-2-5. So what. )

The thought process of playing one of these well with good pitch is similar to how you should approach a 6 valve F tuba. There is a valve combination that just works in tune for every note, do that one all the time!

The elephant in the room really come from what Bloke alluded to; an early Alex CC is really a cut BBb. They have very similar tonal qualities but usually tend to be a little brighter because of the shorter length. I think the pitch inconsistencies come from the transitions not being well laid out and effecting the taper. The better in tune Alexander CC's that I have played and owned are the ones that have slightly smaller leadpipes and smaller top bows. But since Alexanders are pretty rare anyway, finding a good one is a challenge. The people that own good ones don't often sell them.

cheers,
Brendan

[Stryk]

I appreciate the insight. I can understand a lot of what you said, as I have owned a Mirafone of some sort since my second year of college. (45 or so years). The 184 is pretty spot on, but the 186, not so much and adult fingerings are required. That part is very familiar.

The elephant in the room really come from what Bloke alluded to; an early Alex CC is really a cut BBb.

The used 186 I got in 1975 was the same - it came with a BBb conversion slide. That speaks volumes.

But since Alexanders are pretty rare anyway, finding a good one is a challenge. The people that own good ones don't often sell them.

Right now, it's just a quest for that type of sound. If I find one at a decent price, I may grab it just to give it a try. My wife describes the sound of my Alex as full and mellow, while the Mirafone to her is "harsh". For now, I have a 186 that I love, among other horns, but none of them give me that sound that I want - except the Alex. In tune is first for me, and that the Mirafone does well with VERY little slide manipulation. However, I think we all search for that quintessential sound that the Alex gives so well - I know I do.

[Mark E. Chachich]

Hello Terry,

The short answer is (in my opinion) yes the Alexander C tubas have the Alexander sound. Like any tuba you should check and see if the intonation (I have not had problems with my Alex C's intonation and I have been playing it since 1975) but different people have different ideas for what they want.

Best,
Mark