how to determine the key of my tuba?? help!

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Rick Denney
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Re: how to determine the key of my tuba?? help!

Post by Rick Denney »

holly wrote:Here's a link to some more info about the tuba, plus some pictures of it...http://portland.craigslist.org/msg/171579812.html
Like Wade said, it's a 4/4 BBb rotary tuba.

Does it actually say "Made in Germany"? If it does, it's a VMI stencil. If it says "Made in Austria", then it is assembled by Musica from parts--often bought from Amati. Only if it says "Made in Czech Republic" is it a Cerveny/Amati.

If it's a VMI stencil, it will probably attract a higher price than if it is an Amati, so you should include where it's made in the ad.

Musica was an Austrian company. I once had a Musica F tuba that was clearly made from Amati parts but that said "Made in Austria".

Rick "who has also played an excellent Musica-labeled VMI" Denney
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Kevin Hendrick
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Post by Kevin Hendrick »

The picture at craigslist is quite dark (hard to see details), but contains a lot of information if "massaged" a bit (I'm sure there are folks here who could get more out of it than I did):

Image

Anything "jump out" at anybody? Couldn't help noticing the 45-degree exit from the 4th valve ... does that help?
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Chuck(G)
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Post by Chuck(G) »

If it's the Austrian Musica, it'll also say "Steyr" rather prominently. If "Germany", then it's an old VMI; otherwise, probably an Amati.

Methinks it might be an Amati, since the Steyr Musicas and VMI Musicas I've seen all have garlands.

Methinks. :?
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Rick Denney
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Post by Rick Denney »

Chuck(G) wrote:If it's the Austrian Musica, it'll also say "Steyr" rather prominently. If "Germany", then it's an old VMI; otherwise, probably an Amati.

Methinks it might be an Amati, since the Steyr Musicas and VMI Musicas I've seen all have garlands.

Methinks. :?
Mebbe. But look at how tall the bell is compared to the body. I've never seen a Cerveny/Amati with that shape, but I have seen a whole class of VMIs with that shape. Meister Gerhard Schneider tubas come to mind.

And those are the tubas modeled on Alexander that Bloke praises to the sky.

My "Made in Austria" Musica F tuba said nothing I recall about "Steyr". And my VMI-made Vespro from the first year or two following unification had no bell garland (too bad it wasn't the design that Bloke praises--I might still have it). With Musica, generalizations are tricky.

Rick "leaning VMI" Denney
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