TubeNet

Do you know the age/maker/key?
Bell up/forward?
Front/top action?

There were many American (& European) Eb or F tubas made a while ago with those sort of proportions.

Pictures?

Well, to answer your first question, the /4 system for describing tuba size only really exists in the maker's marketing departments. As in "this is a GREAT 5/4 horn... ".

But yes, there were (& still are) actual tubas which would be that size if you could quantify it. The most common were American made or sold Eb band tubas, and some European orchestral F's. If you don't have a mouthpiece for yours, try borrowing bass trombone shank mouthpiece. If that's still too big, just borrow a regular trombone mouthpiece. Check it with a tuner. It could even be a BBb, places in the world that don't use sousaphones STILL march with compact tubas because of the weight.

The Besson 2-20 was a very small BBb (yep, BBb,) tuba that was only slightly bigger than a euph. I played one while doubling on 'bass 'bone around L.A. in the late 70's early 80's. I had it in a gig bag and it made getting around a whole lot easier. It is a three valve, non-comp. horn with a bell diameter only around 14.5". It would fit the 1/2 (2/4?) size definition I think.

One other thing: It originally had a euro (small) shank for the mp. I had that changed out right off the bat, and only just remembered it.

A good repair shop should be able to turn down a mouthpiece so that it can fit. A nice use for an old unused mouthpiece.

Think about taking the tuba to a repair shop that has a set of magnetic dent balls, that should make the big dent on the top bow better in fairly short order. You could then evaluate your tuba more accurately. This is cheaper and eaiser (but usually not as nice looking) then the traditional take the tuba apart then use dent balls.

enjoy your new (old) tuba,
Mark

Judging by the valve slides, it looks to be an Eb. That was not at all an uncommon size when musicians had to use the same horn for marching and concerts.

I would like a tuba that would fit in my watchpocket with a sound that would light up Carnegie Hall with little effort.
I'm sure I'm going to have to compromise somewhat!

Looks like a Eb to Me. Let us see a picture when you get it in playing condition.

I concur that it looks like an Eb. You can tell for sure by measuring the distance from mouthpiece to bell straight through the valve block. Should be about 13.5 ft for an Eb tuba.

tubatubatuba wrote:So where can I get a mouthpiece for it?

First thing I'd suggest is to see what modern shank size will fit. Once you know what you're looking for, you can look for a vintage 'piece, or have one made by one of the custom makers.

Half size tuba??? Its's called a euphonium

tubatubatuba wrote:Everyone thinks it's a Eb tuba but I just don't know. Have you looked at the pic in the link?

That's what you get, for asking people on the Internet to tell you what you have on your hands. Measure it and tell us. Ignore the valve dependent tubing, just the main run from the mouthpiece leadpipe, through the valves, to the end of the bell.

I hope this isn't going to be some kind of sadistic Christmas present to Junior.

You can take your Instrument to a local music store they should be able to help you to ID the instrument, and should have a mouthpiece. If that does not work out take your instrument to your local High School Band Director, He/She should be able to ID the instrument for you.
Good luck.

tubatubatuba wrote:

DonShirer wrote:I concur that it looks like an Eb. You can tell for sure by measuring the distance from mouthpiece to bell straight through the valve block. Should be about 13.5 ft for an Eb tuba.

I measured as you instructed and got 14 feet.

I'm betting on Eb, then. At any rate, too long to be a baritone and it's sure not a French horn, so you'll need a tuba mouthpiece. Find one for starters without spending too much time or money on it, because odds are pretty good it won't fit.

If a common tuba mouthpiece shank is just a little too big, then you either need an old-style small shank mouthpiece (only commonly available from Denis Wick, pretty good option), or you have to enlarge the receiver. While waiting for my Denis Wick 5 to come in the mail, I was able to make do with some duct tape and a larger mouthpiece, but I already happened to have one laying around. A bass trombone mouthpiece might fit better, though I would expect it to sound a lot worse.

There are pictures on Alan Baer's website (www.baertracksmusic.com) of a travel/practice/pocket F tuba he's developing with Meinl Weston. It is about half the size of the normal F. It's under the Research and Development gallery in his photos link.

That's actually not the one I was talking about, if I knew how to post a link I would, but it's in the 2 last pictures in that gallery.

... and comparison of size with a full-size F

http://www.baertracksmusic.com/index.ph ... t=1&id=243

My questions is:

When is the Kodiak F coming out??? Looks interesting.

ASTuba wrote:My questions is:

When is the Kodiak F coming out??? Looks interesting.

I want one!!!!!!!!! That looks like fun!