Help me identify B&S F-tuba by serial # ?

[tubeast]

Dear Tubenet,
I came across this F-Tuba by B&S and would like to determine the exact model and maybe find out more about it.

- definitely built in GDR. (Engraving "made in GDR" on the MP-Receiver, in English language).
- probably built in the early 1980s, which is when it had been acquired in Germany as "new", but it may have been sitting in a shop for a while.
- Serial No. 23 66 58 (also on the MP-Receiver),
- Engraving on bell says "B&S Markneukirchen Klingenthal"
- unfortunately no engravings that would refer to a specific model
- 5-valved, 5th to be operated by left thumb.
- quite small ball bearings on the rotaries´ mechanics that can be tightened using a small screw driver, if worn out.
You can even block the valves´ motion this way.

So what do You think, is there a chance to determine what kind of horn this specimen may be ?

[arpthark]

Could you post pictures? Sounds like a Symphonie.

[bisontuba]

Contact The Berliner Tuba.

Mark

[bort]

Contact The Berliner Tuba.

Mark

This

[tubeast]

Thanks, Bloke, that was the kind of Information I was looking for.
I find B&S F-Tuba models quite hard to tell apart.
3099 vs. PT-models of several varieties...

No Kranz, but I´ll definitely look at the valve sizes.

[tubeast]

So here´s what I found so far, following Bloke´s hints at what to look for:

- increasing bore from valve to valve
- increasing valve casing diameter, conical piping between valves. Casings marked with numbers 46 through 50
- bell and bottom bow made of sheet metal (seams). Can´t tell about the other bows.
- thin, non- streamlined valve paddles 1 through 4, 5th paddle thicker and rounded off, thumb-operated, so the lever reaches around the rear of the top bow´s left branch.
- plain valve caps w/o fancy engravings.
- plain braces lacking any machined adornment.
- cylindrical pillars with two rectangular grooves machined in the middle.
- semi-circular guard wire about 8 mm dia. soldered to top and bottom bow guards, going all the way from straight pipes around the bows (not too comfortable to keep on lap)

Thanks for the input, so far.

[bisontuba]

So here´s what I found so far, following Bloke´s hints at what to look for:

- increasing bore from valve to valve
- increasing valve casing diameter, conical piping between valves. Casings marked with numbers 46 through 50
- bell and bottom bow made of sheet metal (seams). Can´t tell about the other bows.
- thin, non- streamlined valve paddles 1 through 4, 5th paddle thicker and rounded off, thumb-operated, so the lever reaches around the rear of the top bow´s left branch.
- plain valve caps w/o fancy engravings.
- plain braces lacking any machined adornment.
- cylindrical pillars with two rectangular grooves machined in the middle.
- semi-circular guard wire about 8 mm dia. soldered to top and bottom bow guards, going all the way from straight pipes around the bows (not too comfortable to keep on lap)

Thanks for the input, so far.

Hi-
If a Symphonie, the fifth v slide show fall into the first v slide tubes, the 1st valve slide should fall into the 2nd v tubes, and so on. This will truly show that it is 17-18-19-20-21mmvalve section, and you have a Symphonie F. If one of the previous v slides do not fall into the next v tubing,you don't have a Symphonie F.....
Mark

[Rick Denney]

There were certainly early-90's tubas that are at least in part what you describe. I haven't studied mine for seams in the bottom bow, but it has the original-style valves in five sizes, less refined brace detailing, and no bell kranz. The 5-6 paddles are finger-actuated, unlike my 70's-era 5-valve Symphonie.

Mine is probably part of the post-unification transition, and I doubt there is a hard line between chronological generations. There is no PT marking but I understand that the PT-9 has the original Symphonie bore profile.

Rick "not as artistically finished as the 70's version, but plays well" Denney

[MackBrass]

If it says "German Democratic Republic" on the bell then most likely it's pre-wall. I have one that has this on the bell and one without it on the bell. No matter how you slice it, these are some of the best for tubas ever made.

[gregsundt]

No matter how you slice it, these are some of the best f tubas ever made.

What he said.

Now, don't. Ever. Sell it. I still wish I could have mine back...