The Double EEb tuba...

[iiipopes]

Bore .800" ~ 20.3mm
Bell 18"
Height 38"
Weight 26.2 lbs.

Jeez - I've played BBb tubas and souzys that had larger specs, and those that definitely weighed more!

Great tuba! Seriously - for even better response & intonation, try a PT-82 mouthpiece, which is made for huge tubas. I recommend a player at least try one once on a larger instrument, such as this, a Conn 38/40K, B&S GR51, Fafners, large Alex, etc. (I can tell you personally that it was the best mouthpiece on a Conn 38K and the B&S GR51 I have ever played)

[Wyvern]

Of course all of us that love tubas is going to be fascinated by this EEb - but I have been wondering for what it would actually be used to play? For what music would it be better than a conventional contrabass tuba? What is it like in the higher register? I assume anything above the staff is difficult?

This is a fascinating curiosity, maybe good for an Eb player who does not want to learn new fingerings to play contrabass!

[bisontuba]

Of course all of us that love tubas is going to be fascinated by this EEb - but I have been wondering for what it would actually be used to play? For what music would it be better than a conventional contrabass tuba? What is it like in the higher register? I assume anything above the staff is difficult?

This is a fascinating curiosity, maybe good for an Eb player who does not want to learn new fingerings to play contrabass!

Hi-
It plays like a monster Kaiser tuba...big. I too wonder about it 's reason for being made-for some special occasion/event /display? A great curiosity...
Mark

PS. I had the horn on a Hercules stand and my Siamese was in the 'antique' room this afternoon chasing a fly and jumped up and knocked the double EEb tuba over.....grrrrrrrr.... my heart stopped, but Thank goodness for thick padded carpet--a couple of dents in accessible locations (luckily!) that can/will be taken out--horn still plays the same but Mr. Kitty is now not allowed in the room. Could have been MUCH, MUCH worse, but again, grrrrrrrrr.......

[eupher61]

just thinking about the valves' origin; the paddles look somewhat like those on some of the King rotaries, do they not? Not exact, but that long finger button style is familiar. Just a thought.

[MartyNeilan]

Serious thought - cut it to EE. Then it would be the perfect tuba for The Ride

eh, Bloke?

[joh_tuba]

Better option: Have Gronitz make it into a EEb/BBb/CC/F quaduple tuba.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
A response from Dr. Herbert Heyde, author and former ***'T Curator at the Met-FYI-Mark

Dear Mark,
Thanks so much for the images of that amazing tuba. You are probably right that it is by Bohland & Fuchs, because who else in Bohemia would have manufactured this instrument in the inter war period. I guess the valve casings have marks that can ascertain who the manufacturer was. There must also be a paper trail about the instrument or the small group which they have manufactured.
I am curious to know what the deepest notes are you can produce, how far down it goes. The wired rim without garland and the string linkage indeed indicate that the tuba was manufactured for an American customer. Until Carl Fischer closed he had in his sales room a giant three valve tuba for which you had to stand on a stool to play it. Your instrument has a compact tubing, possibly inspired by the Tornister tuba.
It is a great and rare acquisition you made. All best, Herbert

[bort]

Any chance you can post a video? I want to hear this thing!

[bisontuba]

Hi-
The double EEb is back safe and sound having had its dents (courtesy of my Siamese seeing birds and knocking it over ) removed. I had the valves re-strung also. A big old horn for an Eb to say the least...
Mark

[bisontuba]

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[bisontuba]

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[Pat S]

I'd love to hear the horn, and echo those asking for a demo video when you get a chance!

[bisontuba]

If I could find someone to buy my Holton, I'd trade my 4v Conn raincatcher for it....

Hi-
And this past Saturday, that's exactly what happened-we traded!
Enjoy the beast Ian!
Mark

P.S. The engraving on the bell of the Raincatcher is:
"Made by C.G. Conn Ltd. Elkhart Ind USA" - "Yusuf Khan Grotto M.O.V.P.E.R. Akron Ohio"( &-still in existence!).
AND-I found out what the initials on the RainCatcher stand for:
M.O.V.P.E.R.:---stands for the 'Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm,' the official name of the "Grotto" - a Masonic organization similar to the Shriners.

[eupher61]

hmmm...the Veiled Prophet organization is alive and kickin' in St Louis. I'm playing on a float in their parade Friday. Interesting.
Mark, that inscription is on the Raincatcher? Or on the EEb??

[bisontuba]

The inscription is on the Raincatcher....