Washington Bell Front Tuba?

kegmcnabb · Post by **kegmcnabb** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:38 pm

Has anyone heard of Washinton tubas?

There is a bell front Washington tuba for sale near here and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about them before I make a trip to see it. I know that I have never heard of them but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Thanks,

Craig
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Marzan BBb
Kubicki Ex-Factor Bass

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:32 pm

Craig... I notice that you have received no responses and I have not heard of a Washington tuba. It's probably a stencil of one of the more common brands. Can you post a description and some images?

kegmcnabb · Post by **kegmcnabb** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:51 pm

Dan...I haven't actually seen the horn yet. It is in a town about an hour away and I thought if anyone knew about it and thought they were OK I might just drive down and see it.

I usually get down there every couple of weeks or so and, in fact, will be doing a months worth of theatre gigs down there starting the end of this month, so if it has not sold, I will try to see it then. If I can I will get pics and post them. Thanks for your help, though. Perhaps given a couple of days someone else may know more. No rush. The spousal unit has not approved any new horns, anyway

Craig
Craig@sonicabsurdities.com
www.sonicabsurdities.com
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Marzan BBb
Kubicki Ex-Factor Bass

Mike Finn · Post by **Mike Finn** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:41 pm

I had one that I picked up on E-Bay a little while ago. It seems to be a skinny version of the old King bell front tubas. About the same bore size, but it didn't expand much at all until well past the valve section. Also, the main tuning slide was before the valves. If the picture shows up, it's the one laying down. The other horn is an old Pepper Eb, made by Bohland and Fuchs. (I was going to try to use the BBb valve section with the Eb bell and branches, but it looked like too much re-tapering would be called for and I didn't want to mess with it since they both played OK as is.) Not sure who made the Washington horn, looked like Eastern European by the bracing. I was a decent player, but if you're looking for a bell front BBb tuba, those old Kings are hard to beat, and come up frequently on aforementioned auction site.
MF
Olds/Conn BBb
Ibanez Bass

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Mike Finn · Post by **Mike Finn** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:46 pm

I was a decent player

Of course that should say "It was a decent player..."

Also forgot to mention that the receiver took a small shank mouthpiece, although that could have been a modification from the original. It looked like it had had a lot of work done too it, and not all of it professionally.

MF