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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:13 pm
by imperialbari
Is it this one?:
http://tinyurl.com/2qf2x2
If so it is a Saxhorn basse in Bb with 3+2 non-compensating pistons.
Left hand pistons placed perpendicularly to the front plane are not too uncommon in France.
Courtois had a large BBb bass with the 4th piston placed that way.
Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:30 am
by imperialbari
While changing the very long original link I noted, that this Saxhorn basse has a 3rd valve tubing lowering the instrument 2 full steps like normal 2+3. Again a tuning not too uncommon in France for the large Saxhorns.
Bloke's notion of the similarity with the British 3+1 set-up makes me say, that I believe that the British instruments are very much designed for marching and for general military band usage including the often somewhat cramped circumstances in busses.
The British placement of the 4th valve between the 3rd valve tubing and the 1st branch makes the valve stem less vulnerable. The tubas in Eb and BBb even can avoid the 4th piston swiveling stop plate known from 3+1 euphs.
Why do the French and the British make these tall tubas even if neither bore nor bell always have been especially large?
The only reason I can see is, that they save on the number of large bows. And the bows, which still are there, are placed where the bore is narrower as in the comparable bows of more compact tubas.
Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre
PS for bloke: Could you make that school send me a good photo documentation of the Leblanc tuba?
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:54 pm
by J.c. Sherman
It is not a saxhorn basse - the ad clearly states it's an Eb tuba.
Courtois made a 5 valve BBb tuba with a similar valve placement as late as 1989 (tried one then - liked it).
It also has a french feature of a 2-step third valve.
J.c.S.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:48 am
by Alex C
It reminds of of a Mahillion-DuPrins F tuba. It had six valves, though.
It also reminds me of French cars which are functional, quirky with an artistic flair and have a lack of engineering.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:25 am
by brianggilbert
Alex C wrote:It reminds of of a Mahillion-DuPrins F tuba. It had six valves, though.
It also reminds me of French cars which are functional, quirky with an artistic flair and have a lack of engineering.
Like this?
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:07 am
by windshieldbug
Alex C wrote:It reminds of of a Mahillion-DuPrins F tuba. It had six valves, though.
It also reminds me of French cars which are functional, quirky with an artistic flair and have a lack of engineering.
And pronunciation:
Reh noh'

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:19 pm
by iiipopes
Yeah, and it gets even better for this particular model, which had a short market life:
Ray? No, sank!
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:40 pm
by Donn
brianggilbert wrote:
Like this?
Like this:
Self leveling hydraulic suspension, headlights that follow steering, etc., and the look - oh la la! Actually supposed to be a huge engineering success - fast, stable, efficient - but just not manufactured to standards commensurate with its price range.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:50 pm
by windshieldbug
From the same people that brought you the 2CV:

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:02 pm
by davidgilbreath
brianggilbert wrote:Alex C wrote:It reminds of of a Mahillion-DuPrins F tuba. It had six valves, though.
It also reminds me of French cars which are functional, quirky with an artistic flair and have a lack of engineering.
Like this?
Like this?
(Note the transmission shift rod runs through the dash and ends in the gearbox which sits in just below the radiator, . I had a right-hand drive Renault 4 that was lima bean green when I taught in the UK. 44+ miles per imperial gallon
"The Renault 4 makes an inexpensive restoration project for anyone with welding skills."

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:27 pm
by OldsRecording
windshieldbug wrote:From the same people that brought you the 2CV:

"Cato, warm up the SILVER HORNET!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEFfISdA8LQ