Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:I thought I would include an image from one of my 1920s York catalog.
Dan, your York catalog may be from the 20's, but only barely. I think it was 1926 when Pop Johnson bought himself into ownership and the name changed from J.W. York and Sons to York Band Instrument Company. And that note on the catalog page "...for nearly 50 years" suggests to me perhaps 49 years after the company's founding in 1884, which would be 1933.
Here's a picture of the same instrument you showed from an earlier catalog, before the name change. If yours really is from the 1932-34 time frame, then the product didn't change a bit for at least 8 years. That tells me they worked, and sold reasonably well. Interesting in this catalog, tubas with "side-action" valves were referred to as "American models".
Rick "noting the identical drawing and model numbers" Denney
When I saw the picture autographed "to my good friend Arnold Jacob" I was pretty sure that it was "the York" when new, or at least an extremely similar York tuba. In any case it is an absolutely beautiful big horn with a short leadpipe, bracing and valves which look essentially identical to the other York pictures and appears to have everything in common with the Chicago Yorks except the dings and possibly the length of the slides. It immediatly reminded me of the BEAUTIFUL work on Daniel Oberloh's website which consistantly makes me smile with envy and amazes my co-workers.
I was thrown, however, when I first saw it and wasn't sure it was the same horn, not because of the finish but because of the overall look of the fit and finish of the horn. The finish on A.J.'s York looks a lot like the finish on my 1917 (I think) Holton euphonium in Satin Silver. Over time and use and more time and abuse (and probably someone buffing the crud out of it) the finish has really deteriorated on the euphonium.
After all kinds of little dings from day to day life, accidents involving resodering parts back together, attaching a different leadpipe, messing with the fifth valve, shortening the tuning slide and use for over 50 years etc...I'd imagine the look of any horn could change. The thing that struck me first was the angle and bend of the tubing coming out of the third valve. It might be a camera angle playing tricks on my eyes, but it seems to have slightly changed. Still, it looks like it is holding up better than I will at that age.
It all makes me wonder what the differences in the playabilty and sound of the horns from the time they were new until now, and then it also makes me wonder about the differences in sound between the York copies now, and the York copies when they are as "well seasoned" and oft-played as the Chicago Yorks.
P.S. does anyone know if the Chicago Yorks came with Mouthpieces, Lyres, piston wipers and carrying straps ?
Anyone familiar with the CSO Yorks knows that the repair these horns received was haphazard (AND this was from a premium shop) during the 40's-60's. Tubas got no respect in those days.
Maybe Brian knows if Jake had his tuba "reconditioned" during his ownership. That might address how the age of the tuba affected it's performance. Or maybe someone is familiar with the playing characteristics of the CSO Yorks since they were worked on.
I don't know if the Yorks originally came with mouthpiece, lyre, piston wipers and carrying case, only Philip Donatelli would know that.
And, hey speaking of Donatelli, has anyone got a picture or a description of an instrument labeled as a "Donatelli Conn Tuba?"
I am starting to believe that a Donatelli Conn is any "concert" tuba manufactured by Conn during his lifetime. Whaddayathink?
Alex C wrote:Maybe Brian knows if Jake had his tuba "reconditioned" during his ownership. That might address how the age of the tuba affected it's performance. Or maybe someone is familiar with the playing characteristics of the CSO Yorks since they were worked on.
As I recall the stories, the second one was overhauled after Jacobs found it at the school in Oklahoma. I don't know which of the two was sent to Hirsbrunner for measurement, but I do recall that it was damaged en route and Hirbsrunner overhauled it to repair the damage. And we all recall the story in Song and Wind about the replacement of the leadpipe, and the replacement of the valves.
I do know that the more time that goes by, the better my tubas become, except when I ignore them (they don't like that).
Rick "who would love to make a series of high-quality photos of the York for posterity" Denney
Alex C wrote:Maybe Brian knows if Jake had his tuba "reconditioned" during his ownership. That might address how the age of the tuba affected it's performance. Or maybe someone is familiar with the playing characteristics of the CSO Yorks since they were worked on.
I'm going to post a picture of two (count 'em, TWO) Conn Donatelli model tubas.
One was bought some years ago from Toby Hanks by Ron Tasa (a collector and musician). Toby identified it as a Donatelli model to Ron. The other is the instrument I own, they are virtually identical.
I played Ron's horn tonight at a rehearsal. Mine has more punch but Ron's tuba was sweet sounding.
These models were special order and not generally listed in the catalogues. They do not conform to the 8X, the 2X or 3X series tubas.
What a great idea...high quality photos! I've always wanted to see the two Yorks side by side. I wonder if the CSO and Mr. P. would go for it. It would certainly be cool.
