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Hi Tuba Gurus,

I am looking for a vintage Eb tuba, something around 1890 to 1910 would be best. I like vintage instruments and hope to have a brass quintet one day playing music of that era on vintage instruments. I wonder if anyone out there has an informed opinion on which Eb tubas of that era are real winners when it comes to tone, intonation and [possibly] low range. In other words, I'd like a vintage Eb that is also a really good player and don't know whether this is a contradiction in terms or not. I asked earlier about a 1900 Conn 4valve, but the reviews have not been great so far, so I'm enlarging my search.

I currently have a Keefer Eb from 1913 and it is nice, but I don't think the tone is great and the intonation is middling. It might be better with another mouthpiece, but I was wondering whether there is another horn or horns I should look for. Finding a beater and having it restored is an option.

TIA,
royjohn

I have owned, restored and played a 1901 Conn Eb that was a dandy brass quintet instrument. There is nothing wrong with the smaller Conn Eb tubas, although some of the larger ones were woofy and lacked center to their sound. There is a large pre-1920 Conn Eb on that auction website that looks good, a lacquered, top-piston model that is from the Marzan Estate, I believe.

Another recommendation would be a York or Grand Rapids(York stencil ) Eb. I have restored one of these and it was a fine-sounding instrument, too. Finally, a Buescher or Martin Eb would also be recommended picks for a vintage Eb tuba that really plays well.

I have an 1898 Distin Eb (Williamsburg, which is a precursor of Keefer) that I used as a bass tuba for everything before I could afford an good F. It is a small horn, but the valves are tight, and I think it has a great, centered sound.

How are your valves? Have you tried thicker oil to see if it will help?

Particularly if you're looking to a quintet, many of the smaller "name" Eb tubas of that period are great horns, having been developed for many years as the all-over (sitting AND marching) bass. As the Monsters became more popular, many makers just grafted on bigger bells. My advice is to stay smaller and get a better (and cheaper!) horn.

I use a King 1235 for Dixieland stuff. It's a very good horn with a big, big sound. Great!... if you can get along with a bell front tuba. I think the bell front horns are being grossly overlooked.

I have to second Lee on the 1901, having spent a lot of time on that horn. It was a great little horn with very few issues and a nice centered sound. The are more of them out there and lots of stencils. If I could get my ear out of the key of Bb I would still have one.

Both Dan and Lee are seasoned Eb players, so I would certainly take their advice. I purchased a York Eb from Lee in 2002 (forgot the year make, but it was from way back), in which Lee did his magic and added a 4th valve which could have passed for a factory original, tubing and all! Of all the Eb's I've owned, I'd have to say the York was the best of the bunch. Plus, it was really cool looking and could pass for a euphonium on steroids. Second runner up, IMHO, would have to be the Conn 18J.

Go here for pictures of my old York Eb:
http://entertainment.webshots.com/album ... AlbumTitle

It depends on the sound that you want. I have a York Monster
E flat that has a nice lively York sound. I have played an old
Diston that has a beautiful light sound. I have played a lot
of other types with different sounds. Which is better?

In Baltimore (1980's) many of us used old E flat tubas.
I got to test drive more then a few types. Back then you
could buy a old E flat that was good cheap (we valued them
but very other few tubists wanted them).

The old E flats that I have liked best:
York Monster
Conn (the big one)
Diston (totally different sound then the other two, very light)

Other types were nice in my opinion but not what I was
looking for (for example; Holton, other models of York, etc...)

best,
Mark

HI Tuba Gurus,

Thanks so much for the several posts on this topic, I have learned a lot. Please don't stop if you have anything more to contribute.

As far as the "typical intonation issues" on the York and York Monster, I am not knowledgeable enough to know exactly what these are, so if someone could enlighten me, I would appreciate it. Are these clam notes taken care of by alternate fingerings or ???

Thanks again,
royjohn

I'll second (or third) the Distin Eb for just being fun to play. Wonderful sweet singing tone.

I don't know how to candy coat this, but most monster EEb tubas (including Yorks IMHO) flat out suck in the intonation department.

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tofu wrote:From your experience can a good repair person correct the intonation issues of the big old Eb's in a cost effective way or are they beyond cost effective help?

The bells make for a good CC, when combined with a different body...

1920's Buescher Eb helicon. It may have sucked before the 4th valve was added at Dillon's, but it don't suck now. She's a fine seafarin' vessel.