Warren Deck's Tuba around 1989

Jay Bertolet · Post by **Jay Bertolet** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 2:43 pm

Unless I'm remembering the story wrong, it was probably his Meinl Weston Bell Model CC. This was his primary horn when he won the NYPO position.

My opinion for what it's worth...

scottmendoker · Post by **scottmendoker** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:00 pm

That tuba was his Conn, an original rotary CC tuba, previously owned by Fred Geib. (If you have Geib's method book, there's a picture of him holding that tuba.) Warren took that instrument and replaced the existing valve cluster with one from Alexander, increasing the bore size by quite a bit. The instrument had HORRIBLE pitch problems, but you wouldn't ever know it from listening to Warren play it.

Mike Lynch, a tuba player and instrument collector has since purchased it from Warren after his retirement. Matt at Dillon Music is currently restoring it (after he gets back from his honeymoon!!) to its' original condition.

Scott Mendoker

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:34 pm

Mike Johnson wrote:...I forgot to say that they all, Messrs. Deck, Schmidt (sorry if that's not the spelling) and Dallenbach sounded amazing.

What amazed me most was the triple-quintet version of the Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. I'd always thought of that work as being a quintessential string work (and one of the great unknown masterpieces of the 20th century). Most orchestras never attempt it because of the demands required on string players, and we all know what it takes to be in the wire choir of a top orchestra. But these guys did a very credible job, capturing the feel of the piece despite the very different timbres. Refutes the notion that the piece requires it's characteristic tone color to be successful. And it's long, too. At 20 minutes, it's a real test of endurance and musical concentration for a triple quintet.

Rick "now curious and will have to go dig up that tape" Denney

Mikelynch · Post by **Mikelynch** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 10:47 pm

As noted earlier in this thread, the Conn CC that Warren played has now been reunited with its original valve section and leadpipe. Sheve Shires shop did a superb job of rebuilding the valves, and Matt Walters at Dillon Music worked his customary magic in putting the horn back together (which was not perfectly straightforward, since some modifications had been made to accomodate the Alex valve section that Warren fittted to the horn).

The horn now plays very well, with a clear and very powerful sound. The 4th valve is a major third, and the 5th valve is a 4th, which can present some mental challenges.

Somewhat visible in the photo (assuming my first attempt at including one goes well) is a well-crafted 5th valve mechanism. The 5th valve is the bottom one in the cluster, and the key is up close to the 1st valve slide. A pivot rod runs down, dodges around the valve cluster, and connects to the actuation arm on the valve

Mikelynch · Post by **Mikelynch** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:17 pm

Well, let's try that again on the photo...

Stephen Shoop · Post by **Stephen Shoop** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 3:05 pm

Scott is correct. A picture of Mr. Geib holding that tuba appears on the front cover of the latest I.T.E.A. Journal.

gwwilk · Post by **gwwilk** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 6:55 pm

PhilW. wrote:Speaking of which, how can I get a subscription to that journal? I looked on their website, but couldn't find that information anywhere.

On the upper left, just click 'Join ITEA' whereupon you get the membership04.pdf displayed:
http://iteaonline.org/IMAGES/membership04.pdf

Fill it out, send it in, and sooner or later the journals show up in your mailbox. As with most journals, you gotta belong to the organization in order to get on the mailing list.

Definitely a worthwhile organization and a very well put together publication. I can't put mine down until I've finished it the day it comes.

Do join!

Jerry

David Fedderly · Post by **David Fedderly** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:44 pm

Hi All,

I just wanted to add a little more history to this thread. Scott Mendoker and Mike Lynch are as usual correct about the Geib Conn tuba. Previous to Warren getting the tuba Mr. Jacobs purchased it from Mr. Geib's estate. It had both the upright and recording bells. The tuba was at my house in Evanston for about 3 months for me to use. As Scott said the intonation was wild! Mr. Jacobs sold the tuba to Michael Lind. Michael put an Alex leadpipe on it which improved it. The next time I saw the tuba was summer of 1983 when Warren and the NY Phil played Mahler's 5th Symphony at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Mo while on tour. I met backstage with Warren and the new valve set was partially soldered on and partially wired in place. Warren as always played great and made the tuba sound spectacular. I did play it that day and without a doubt it was a superior tuba to what it had been. However bravo to Mike Lynch for having the tuba restored to its original form to preserve history.

Thanks for listening,
David Fedderly

Mikelynch · Post by **Mikelynch** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 11:14 pm

Dave,
Thanks for filling in some history on the horn that I did not know. I had not been able to track the lineage of the horn to Mr. Jacobs or Mike Lind.

Also, the comparison of how the horn played back then is very interesting. At this point, with the valves redone and the original leadpipe, it plays pretty well. The pitch issues that exist now are all pretty manageable with some thought (although that Maj 3rd 4th valve is still a challenge).

I don't suppose anyone has seen the recording bell, have they?

Stephen Shoop · Post by **Stephen Shoop** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 11:13 am

That same photograph appears in the Geib Method for Tuba (page 7), along with a separate picture of the horn. The Geib Method was published by Carl Fischer (1941) and is currently out-of-print.

TubeNet

Warren Deck's Tuba around 1989

Warren Deck Conn

Warren Deck's Tuba

Warren Deck's Tuba