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The serial number makes no real sense with the Reynolds list of Kirmser. If it however is an Olds in disguise, it would be from around 1975.

The patch may not be a huge problem, if it covers an occasional damage. If it however is a cover up for red rot, I wouldn’t touch this instrument at all. And nothing real can be said about the deal, as long as the asked price isn’t known.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre

I think you'll like it. Reynolds also made Contemporas with detachable bells that were way too tall and cumbersome. But this one resembles an Olds; it may even be a clone. That's about as good as it gets for a 3-valve tuba. It's the right size for someone without a whole lot of playing experience; not too complicated, not too fancy, but will play well if there is no hidden damage.

How much? Looks like a fun tuba and I think you'll like it given that it's in good shape! If you post the price, you'll get a good reaction from everyone here about if its a steal or if it's too much (or, if it's about right).

It looks very much like my Olds BBb- bought it in the mid 1970s. This picture is not my horn, but just about the same: http://www.horn-u-copia.net/picture.php ... g&newdim=1

Not a bad tuba for a lot of playing - the valves were never perfect, always needed a lot of oil, but sonically it is a good horn, IMO.

These are nice little BBbs. Well, not little, but a small-ish 4/4. It is an Olds stencil. Funnily, I have a collegue in the dixieland world who has one that had a King Sousa removable bell collar added when he had it overhauled, and he can put it in a flat case!

His is the same stencil. It has a very good sound and intonation. You can replace the leadpipe, but if the receiver angle is fine, I wouldn't mess with it. If it plays suspiciously, take it to a tech you trust and see if they approve of the work (they can remove it and check). A new leadpipe, regardless, shouldn't be expensive, and I think may still be available through Allied.

J.c.S.

A true win-win.

A possibly playable tuba finds a loving home.

And an alto sax is safely off the street.

It doesn't get any better than that.

You got a good deal. That horn was probably made in the early 70's. It's virtually the same as the Olds 0-099 and very similar to the Conn 12/15J tubas. Intonation is good and they have a pretty big sound for a horn it's size. Don't be too concerned about the patch unless it's leaking.

TubaTinker wrote:You got a good deal. That horn was probably made in the early 70's. It's virtually the same as the Olds 0-099 and very similar to the Conn 12/15J tubas. Intonation is good and they have a pretty big sound for a horn it's size. Don't be too concerned about the patch unless it's leaking.

Yes, that's a very good deal. Even if the patch is leaking, and even if the lead pipe is rotted (as Klaus warns against), you did well enough so that these problems could be repaired. That leadpipe is a standard American design that could probably be bent from a replacement pipe bought from Allied by any decent tech, even if you couldn't find one to salvage from the tech's junk box.

Rick "play it and enjoy it" Denney

Curiosity - is the O-99 pipe not listed?

J.c.S.

congratulations!

I advise flushing it real good with clean water....there are tremendous stories of things that have come out of old horns.

J.c. Sherman wrote:Curiosity - is the O-99 pipe not listed? J.c.S.

As far as I know, the O-99 is no longer listed by either Allied or Conn-Selmer under 'Olds' or 'Reynolds'. However, Allied refers to the Bach 869 (3 piston) and the Bach 879 (4 piston) as being the same parts and lists a S900 leadpipe. I'm assuming that this leadpipe is pre-bent but don't know for sure. I've always just replaced those pipes with generic ones.

Forgot about the Bach - thanks!

J.c.S.

Greetings

I've got one !!!!! And even though i've also got a St Pete BBb, a Meinl 2145 CC and a Miraphone F - the Reynolds comes out pretty regularly and does a good job of some things (outdoor Christmas Carols come to mind).

Enjoy



Andrew M