Help identify this Meinl-Weston

[ronu]

I have a Meinl-Weston tuba that I bought on Ebay. I love it but it needs a little work. But I don't know what the model number number is. If anybody has any ideas, I would appreciate it.

See the picture below. It's a 4 rotary valve instrument. Height: 42", Bell diam: 16". The engraving says "W. Meinl Weston, Division of Getzen"

Ron's Meinl Weston_resize.jpeg

[GC]

If the bell was an inch and three-quarters larger, it would have been a 25. It's almost certainly a 20. A good 20 is a very good horn indeed.

[ronu]

Thanks. Any idea when model 20's were manufactured?
They must be fairly rare. A Google search turns up practically nothing.
It plays well but the valves are a little noisy because the rod that comes out of the bottom of the key, to which the linkage is attached, is loose. I'd like to replace the keys with the modern 3B linkage but I don't know where to buy the parts.

[kontrabasstuba]

It's a Melton 20. If i remember correctly does Walter Hilgers won his first audition with a Melton 20

[ronu]

Bloke,
If you still have the model 20, could you send a picture?
Also, what's a bell kranz?
Ron

[jeopardymaster]

A close-up photo would help. The kranz is a silver "tone ring" that older Meinl Westons had, along with Mirafones, Miraphones, Alexanders, and a few other German horns. It shows up around the outside of the rim of the bell. I believe Meinl Weston quit doing that in the early 1970s. Another indicator could be the bell inscription. For a while they were being imported by Getzen and the bell said so. There are a few other "tells" - placing the LONG 3rd valve pull in front started, I think, in the late 1960s. By the late 1970s it seems to me that they had moved the 4th valve pipes as well. Oscar Kaspersky comes to mind as having been behind those changes, possibly for Getzen, not sure, and I think they didn't come all at once. Best of all for establishing a date for your horn would be if you can find a serial number. I think it should be on the receiver. I've owned only one Meinl Weston Model 20 BBb, and not for very long. An actual M-W fan will probably have better information than I.

[Lee Stofer]

Ronu,
Since this model 20 is labeled as from Getzen, there should be identification electro-engraved on the side of the 1st or 2nd rotor casing. With that, I can probably identify the date of manufacture using the list in the Allied Supply Catalog.
I would also suggest getting the instrument to someone who can repair the linkage. The universal joint-type linkage connected to the bottom of the levers can pretty easily be repaired, and is quiet, dependable and much less expensive than going to the linkage du jour. These Meinl-Westons tended to be very well-made.