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I picked up this Meinl-Weston-Getzen and haven't been able to identify the model number. It's a 42" tall BBb four valve rotary, with a 16" detachable bell, and single ball linkage. The serial number is 6653 and BDR-162 is etched into the valveset. Many of the valve and linkage parts are stamped with the number 19. Were any MW's made with recording bells that would fit this horn? My Mira recording bell sorta fits, but it’s about 1 mm diameter smaller than the MW so I have to crank the bell collar screws most of the way in to secure it properly. I put in a couple of photos in case that helps jog a few brain cells loose.

Meinl-Weston/Getzen tuba serial numbers are usually engraved into the side of one of the rotor housings. I don't know what the number stamped into the top of the rotor means... possibly some other form of identification. I have three similar Meinls at the moment. One has three slides on the front side like yours. One has only two slides on the front side... and the third has a much larger bottom bow and bell. I think yours is probably a model 20.

What's with the slanted paddle bar? Is this a modification?... or original?

TubaTinker wrote:What's with the slanted paddle bar? Is this a modification?... or original?

Thanks Dan! It looks to me, like the slant is original. I find it more comfortable to play than my Mirafone due to the slant and the position of the thumb ring, plus I like the fourth valve response...maybe it's because of those two tight bends in the fourth valve wrap. Of course I have no way of knowing if the bell is the original that came with the horn, which does make me wonder if the body is actually a MW/G, but it sure looks like one to me.

I own MW Model 20. The valve wrap is the same as yours. My valve linkage is straight up and down. Mine does not have the detachable bell. The serial number is hand engraved on the 3rd valve casing like yours. I don’t have any number stamped in the top of the valve casing. Another difference is the linkage. Mine does not have jam nuts on the rods like yours. Mine has had some repairs to the linkages done over the years and are not original. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Yes. You have a Meinl Weston 20 with a detachable bell. However, it could have gone by another model number like 21, etc. Somewhere I have an old Getzen catalog that had a different model number for the detachable upright bell, and yet another number the the detachable bell front bell. Think about the gap in numbers between the model 20 and model 25.