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Re: how to determine the key of my tuba?? help!
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:15 pm
by Rick Denney
Like Wade said, it's a 4/4 BBb rotary tuba.
Does it actually say "Made in Germany"? If it does, it's a VMI stencil. If it says "Made in Austria", then it is assembled by Musica from parts--often bought from Amati. Only if it says "Made in Czech Republic" is it a Cerveny/Amati.
If it's a VMI stencil, it will probably attract a higher price than if it is an Amati, so you should include where it's made in the ad.
Musica was an Austrian company. I once had a Musica F tuba that was clearly made from Amati parts but that said "Made in Austria".
Rick "who has also played an excellent Musica-labeled VMI" Denney
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:49 pm
by Kevin Hendrick
The picture at craigslist is quite dark (hard to see details), but contains a lot of information if "massaged" a bit (I'm sure there are folks here who could get more out of it than I did):
Anything "jump out" at anybody? Couldn't help noticing the 45-degree exit from the 4th valve ... does that help?
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:42 am
by Chuck(G)
If it's the Austrian Musica, it'll also say "Steyr" rather prominently. If "Germany", then it's an old VMI; otherwise, probably an Amati.
Methinks it might be an Amati, since the Steyr Musicas and VMI Musicas I've seen all have garlands.
Methinks.
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:51 am
by Rick Denney
Chuck(G) wrote:If it's the Austrian Musica, it'll also say "Steyr" rather prominently. If "Germany", then it's an old VMI; otherwise, probably an Amati.
Methinks it might be an Amati, since the Steyr Musicas and VMI Musicas I've seen all have garlands.
Methinks.
Mebbe. But look at how tall the bell is compared to the body. I've never seen a Cerveny/Amati with that shape, but I have seen a whole class of VMIs with that shape. Meister Gerhard Schneider tubas come to mind.
And those are the tubas modeled on Alexander that Bloke praises to the sky.
My "Made in Austria" Musica F tuba said nothing I recall about "Steyr". And my VMI-made Vespro from the first year or two following unification had no bell garland (too bad it wasn't the design that Bloke praises--I might still have it). With Musica, generalizations are tricky.
Rick "leaning VMI" Denney