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I can't find the serial number on my '70-'80?? 188. It's not on the bell, under the logo. The only number I've found is on the 5th valve:
L
39

Any pointers, anyone???

That's interesting... I suspect it had some kind of overhaul (new welds near the tuning slide and a new one on the 5th valve knuckle).... if the bell was replaced it doesn't look new to me anymore

I'll try to make some photo's tomorrow.

the elephant wrote:This strongly implies that you have a replacement bell. Photos?

Not necessarily . . . I sold my 188 to tubalex last year, and it didn't have a serial number on it . . . just like many of the others made for the european market.

http://s472.photobucket.com/albums/rr89/ouwerkerkw/188/" target="_blank

I believe that 188's did not come into existence until about 1982 or so. I had a 188 with a prominent name attached to it and he would have gotten it very early in the production cycle. My guess from the wear and other bits is that the horn is from the mid to late 1980s.

The L on the 5th may be for Links (= left).

The most common place for serial ## on rotary tubas from Central Europe is on the bridge carrying the spring and lever assembly.

Klaus

I think I found it

Last night during rehearsals I noticed a number under the 2nd valve spatula. It's 124.... Don't know if this means it's the 124th 188 ever made...

I don't think that's it...

Andrew

try looking under the main bar that all the spatula's are attached too. I know that is a common place for Horn manufacturers to put it.