Jacobs' "Legacy" tuba(s)...

[Alex C]

Do you have information that he recorded the Beethoven on his Holton? I would be surprised if that were the case. I have always thought that he used the York on all of the quintet/quartet recordings.

As good as the Holton was, it did not compare well with the York.

I know he used the Holton on the tours the CSO quintet did in the early-to-mid 1950's but outside of that, it was used mainly his "home" practice horn and on a few gigs. You could count the number of performances he played it with the CSO on one hand.

BTW, who has Mr. Jacobs Holton now?

[brianf]

The Beethoven was recorded in 1954 in the early days of the quintet before they had a relationship with Holton. It had to be recorded on the York.

[Alex C]

I was looking for a way to aurally compare the sounds of the two instruments side by side.

Because my recently purchased Rusk-Holton plays with many of the wonderful playing characteristics frequently ascribed to the Yorks, I am curious about similarities and differences, and your comments above are helpful.

IMHO, and somewhat removed in time, I think the Holton has less fundamental and fewer overtones on the higher end of the spectrum in the sound. Jake sure makes it sound good though.

Bob Rusk certainly made some terrific CC conversions. They compare favorably with new instruments made today with one exception: they sound American. The German, Swiss (and Yamaha) yorkophones are all good tubas in their own right - and possibly they didn't want to sound so unilateral - but they don't have the same sound characteristics.

I appreciate BrianF's insert about the quintet recording.

My band director was a student at the University of Mississippi in the 50's when the CSO Quintet came through on tour. He remembered that Arnold kept his dirty laundry in the bell of his tuba during travel.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
I have some early Chicago Symphony Brass Ensemble flyers/programs, and on one flyer Jacobs seems to be pictured with what looks like an Alex F, and on the one program piece, the cover shows him with the quintet with the same horn, but pictured inside, he seems to be playing a smaller piston horn--maybe one of the smaller York CC's or possibly a Conn or King of some type. The Beethoven is not on that program, but it is generic, showing what a 'typical concert program' would consist of: Gabrieli Sonata Piane Forte, Bohme Octet, Sanders Quintet, Reiche Sonata #15, Borowski Moods, 2 mvem'ts from Suite for Seven Brass Insts. by Berezowsky, Corelli Concerto Grosso #6, & Mueller Octet.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@Juno.com