York tuba restoration, Latest issue of "horn-porn"

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

Gotcha! You simply could not resist, could you?

I know herald posted an image of this horn not long ago prior to its being plated. There were a few who showed interest in the project. I assured them that I would post before and after images when it was completed, so here you go.



Yeah, really bad condition but hey, it is 90+ years old.




A year and a half later, Still not like new, but nice enough. I will be putting some additional images of the job on the shop web site if this is not enough for you. Be careful though, horn-dorn can be addictive, if you are an addict suffering with this affliction, you should seek professional help.

http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/yorkrestoration.htm



Daniel C. Oberloh
Repair Technician to the stars (Floyd and Emma Star of Black Diamond WA)
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
www.oberloh.com

[tubeast]

Dan,

once again, you lightened up the dull day of a hard working hydraulic engineer.
Thank you so much.

[trseaman]

Beautiful work Dan! You certainly set a high standard for others to follow!

Tim

[Frank Ortega]

Oh the shame! I've never been able to put words to my addiction...it's so embarrassing. But I've been addicted to "Horn dorn" since I bought my first computer.
Are there any 12 step programs in my area for this addiction?

Seriously, beautiful work as always Dan!

Frank Ortega

[Steve Marcus]

Will the US Gov'ment subpoena all records of those who Googled for "horn-dorn?"

[windshieldbug]

Now ask her to bend down and "love" the camera...

(Beautiful looking horn!)

[brianf]

Actually, this kinda makes me sick! My York can be a twin of this, a 4 valve upright B flat. It looks a little better than the before pix but when you see the after pix - well, kinda makes me sick. Wish my horn went through that!

My York does have one thing that horn doesn't. It's gig bag has an embroidered York patch sewn on it - silver on black. Looks great! Have a few more left.

[Bandmaster]

Beautiful, like all of his work! Now I just can't wait until he posts before and after photos of my Holton!

[Albertibass]

holy crap.....

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

Dan, Any photos of the giant York 6/4 conversion/restoration? The one shown at the end of the Martin 6/4 satin silver beauty??? York body with a Hirsbrunner valve set?

No, not now as that horn has been temporarily shelved and is not a priority at this time but one of a larger group of projects that are in the works being restored. This kind of work is difficult and expensive to have done but there are still plenty who want it done. I have quite a backlog of jobs that are to be restored, here is a list of the lions share of tuba rebuilds I have in presently. It is not in any order of priority but be assured there is an order.

1- 6/4 four valve BBb Martin
2- Monster four valve Eb Yorks
1- 4/4 CC York
1- 6/4 Four valve Recording York
1- 4/4 Four valve BBb Recording York
2- 6/4 four valve BBb York
1- 4/4 Four Valve BBb York
1- 4/4 Four rotary Eb Martin
3- Holton 345s

It is hard to get these puppies completed as I still have repairs of the regular stuff that comes in the door in addition to the trumpets, trombones, etc. that are also in to be rebuilt. Because of this long list, the shop has put a halt on taking in any more large brass until this batch gets whittled down to a managable size. I do hope to have four or five tubas completed by the summer. And maybe if all goes well, have a real vacation. We will see.


Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
www.oberloh.com

[windshieldbug]

With work like that, you should change the name of your business to

Oberloh Brass Works and Woodwinds

[prototypedenNIS]

Dan, if I ever get a large sum of money, I just might ship you my Van Hall (Kurath) abd ask you to make her pretty looking.

Right now, she's kinda like the opera singer who sounds good but is placed in a minor part with good singing but an outfit that hides all physical appearance, or just offstage.... (trails off into more incomprehensable mumbo jumbo)

I guess the jist of that would be that, she sounds amazing, but is not a looker.

[Art Hovey]

Mr. Oberloh's work is awsome. That York is exactly the same as the one that I started with. I liked its response even when it was held together with string and sticky tape. But I did not like its valve section. Too small-bore, too many tight turns and water keys, and awkward to hold. It also had a small mouthpiece receiver that could barely accept the tip of a standard tuba mouthpiece. I put a brand-new Mirafone 1270 valve section and a new leapipe onto my York and came up with something that really plays. I used it last night on a dixieland gig, and on Monday I will use it with the Civic Orchestra of New Haven. A new valve set like that is not cheap, but is a fraction of the cost of a complete overhaul by Oberloh. I can't help dreaming about how a real craftsman like Mr O could have done it. If I ever have that much bread to throw into a tuba I am sure that the waiting line will be endless.

[Donn]

Now for me, that's some, uh, stirring pictorial documentation there. There's an element of accessibility, you know? The immaculate restorations are beautiful but in kind of an untouchable way, whilst this baby with those oh my God big front action pistons, I could - well, it has a lot of class, too, and you know I'd be a gentleman, but ... [pant, pant]

[Lew]

Dan, Any photos of the giant York 6/4 conversion/restoration? The one shown at the end of the Martin 6/4 satin silver beauty??? York body with a Hirsbrunner valve set?

No, not now as that horn has been temporarily shelved and is not a priority at this time but one of a larger group of projects that are in the works being restored. This kind of work is difficult and expensive to have done but there are still plenty who want it done. I have quite a backlog of jobs that are to be restored, here is a list of the lions share of tuba rebuilds I have in presently. It is not in any order of priority but be assured there is an order.

1- 6/4 four valve BBb Martin
2- Monster four valve Eb Yorks
1- 4/4 CC York
1- 6/4 Four valve Recording York
1- 4/4 Four valve BBb Recording York
2- 6/4 four valve BBb York
1- 4/4 Four Valve BBb York
1- 4/4 Four rotary Eb Martin
3- Holton 345s

It is hard to get these puppies completed as I still have repairs of the regular stuff that comes in the door in addition to the trumpets, trombones, etc. that are also in to be rebuilt. Because of this long list, the shop has put a halt on taking in any more large brass until this batch gets whittled down to a managable size. I do hope to have four or five tubas completed by the summer. And maybe if all goes well, have a real vacation. We will see.


Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
www.oberloh.com

This list of horns in the backlog is almost as impressive as the work itself. All those big Martins and Yorks... It will be great to see some of them when done.