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Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:No, Steve. I don't cut horns. Its a BBb.

+1

Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:My last major York tuba project is probably the one I like most. It's the property of Andy Rodgers in NY and is the largest horn of it type to leave my bench. With a 23'' bell and the fifth valve, it probably the heavies as well. The second is Mike Russell's (Seattle Symp. retired) BBb York that I completed in '93 which is tied with Mike Ferrie's BBb Martin, finished in '04. All cool and fun instruments that have all taken their share of my hide. Still, I have a soft spot for the Holton 345, it just happens to be in my head
Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com

We have a winner... prettiest horn ever.

Daniel C. Oberloh wrote: ... which is tied with Mike Ferrie's BBb Martin, finished in '04.

Just for the curious...

Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:My last major York tuba project is probably the one I like most. It's the property of Andy Rodgers in NY and is the largest horn of it type to leave my bench. With a 23'' bell and the fifth valve, it probably the heavies as well. The second is Mike Russell's (Seattle Symp. retired) BBb York that I completed in '93 which is tied with Mike Ferrie's BBb Martin, finished in '04. All cool and fun instruments that have all taken their share of my hide. Still, I have a soft spot for the Holton 345, it just happens to be in my head
Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com

Dan if there was a Concours d’Elegance for tubas - your restorations would be among the select few invitees and most certainly Best of Show winners. Great stuff. There is nothing like a classic vintage (be it cars,trains or tubas) brought back to their prime.

What is it about a horn that makes it among your personal favorites - is it sound, playability, design/style, rareness or some X factor?

tofu wrote:Dan if there was a Concours d’Elegance for tubas - your restorations would be among the select few invitees and most certainly Best of Show winners. Great stuff. There is nothing like a classic vintage (be it cars,trains or tubas) brought back to their prime.

Don't forget that Dan not only restores tubas, in almost all cases, he puts them back together better than they were when they were originally made resulting in better playability & just a more solid instrument in general, not to mention some of the most beautiful looking tubas on this planet have come out of Dan's shop.

TubaMusikMann wrote:

tofu wrote:Dan if there was a Concours d’Elegance for tubas - your restorations would be among the select few invitees and most certainly Best of Show winners. Great stuff. There is nothing like a classic vintage (be it cars,trains or tubas) brought back to their prime.

Don't forget that Dan not only restores tubas, in almost all cases, he puts them back together better than they were when they were originally made resulting in better playability & just a more solid instrument in general

But it's more than just improving them - it's that he keeps the quintessence of the horn and the design/heritage of its maker. It is not just some stuck on/weird looking/poor ergonomics add on for instance. For example we have all seen the randomly stuck on 5th valve added to some tubas that may or may not work well, but unbalances the handling and/or visual looks of the instrument . His horns (and I would add that Lee Stofer and Joe S. do the same type of work) are well thought out and expertly designed. You can instantly perceive that the process was well thought out from start to finish. The horns look like they were built that way (but better ) by their original maker. The art of the master craftsman.

My favorite BAT is my 24j.

This was my BAT from back in the day. Used it for dixieland, brass band, concert band, military gigs, you name it. Probably belongs to someone on Tubenet now.

I'm curious to see how many of your favorite BATs (or favorite horns in general) have changed over the years. My favorite is my newly restored Conn 26J/27J beast. Four front-short-action-valve .770 bore with both bells. It's not only by far the best BAT I've played, but it's the best tuba I've ever played and I have played LOTS of tubas. It's a lot more nimble and reserved than the other 2XJ/3XJ horns I've played. Like Lee Stofer said about a previous 27J on here, you could play a brass quintet with this one. With it de-dented, leaks fixed, and valves PROPERLY aligned it does not have a flat F third partial. This has been my dream BAT ever since I started playing tuba in school. I once owned a 20J and ever since then I had hoped to one day get my hands on one of these. Dream come true!

My favorite "BAT" was the old Miraphone 190 CC I borrowed from the school. I was between CC tubas at the time, so I did all my big stuff with the 190 for a few months. It was a good horn despite being pretty beat up. Close second would be the old Conn Grand Orchestral I owned for a little while- it had the biggest low F ever. I wonder where it is? I traded it for a Meinl Weston 45k F tuba that I absolutely love.

Here's a video of it in orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWCFyuSLX2c" target="_blank

Yes, the opening quote of Hungarian March is supposed to be offset a half beat between highs & lows. It's a little weird to play.

Never felt comfortable above middle of staff on the 190, so I did the solo on F tuba.

That sounds great. I've never played a big miraphone like that only the 188. I agree with you about the low F on the big Conn. If it is anything like mine, that note can shatter windows!

southtubist wrote:My favorite "BAT" was the old Miraphone 190 CC I borrowed from the school. I was between CC tubas at the time, so I did all my big stuff with the 190 for a few months. It was a good horn despite being pretty beat up. Close second would be the old Conn Grand Orchestral I owned for a little while- it had the biggest low F ever. I wonder where it is? I traded it for a Meinl Weston 45k F tuba that I absolutely love.

Here's a video of it in orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWCFyuSLX2c" target="_blank" target="_blank

Yes, the opening quote of Hungarian March is supposed to be offset a half beat between highs & lows. It's a little weird to play.

Never felt comfortable above middle of staff on the 190, so I did the solo on F tuba.

I graduated from the academy in 98, glad to see that the ensembles are still ridiculously amazing for a high school. Oh and you and that tuba sounded great too.

I play a rotary Neptune, but it's not my favorite BAT in terms of sound. That prize, for me, would go to the Holton 345 that Floyd Cooley used to own, but now belongs to Peter Warhaftig who plays in the Bay Brass. Peter told me that Floyd borrowed that horn back to record the Nielsen symphonies with Herbert Blomstedt.

I've haven't heard Tony Clements yet on his MW Baer, but I'll bet that's a great sound!

kmorgancraw wrote:
I graduated from the academy in 98, glad to see that the ensembles are still ridiculously amazing for a high school. Oh and you and that tuba sounded great too.

Thanks- I thought I'd put it up because there aren't many recordings of that model horn. I found another I recording played in with the 190, but in band with three other tubas. The arranger is a cool guy and wrote in a pedal C at the end for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFfC2lCdxHk" target="_blank

The runs towards the end were really hard to get right. It's kinda clumsy- on an F tuba or my Alex it'd be a piece of cake. It's a fun horn, although I don't think anyone else has used it in performance- it's very hard to focus, and a smaller mouthpiece didn't help me. We found it in the basement in unplayable condition, so I fixed it up in instrument repair class. I had to fabricate a 5th valve lever/linkage from random parts.

I don't really play a BAT, but my "large" tubas are a 5/4 M-W rotary CC and a 5/4+ Kaiser rotary BBb. But the Kaiser is very old and 'worn', so I only use it on 'special occasions'.

As far as 'true' piston BATs, I still like the ole Yorkbrunners

Nice recordings @ southtubist. I am glad you fixed up that old "Tommy Johnson" Mira 190

My 1974-75 Holton BBb 345 is wonderful. I believe it was overhauled by Lee Stofer. I bought it from Jonathan Hodgetts of Wessex Tubas in England who was selling it for Peach.

I can't say that I have a favorite BAT - I've played almost every one of them made, and I love them all!

Personally, I have fallen in love with the Conn Orchestra Grand. This one must be VERY different from the other orchestra grand mentioned. The first valve slide on top has been cut so I can push in for C in the staff. The rest of the time I have it out about an inch. Other than that and pulling as I go to pedal Eb and below, the horn is remarkably in tune.

I've played a few Baers, but they don't do anything for me. There's no personality to them. The 6/4 Cerveny's project well, but they can be a little squirrely with intonation. I do love the old Yorkbrunners. My old teacher's is definitely a close second to my Conn, and third place has to be J.c.'s rotary King. I have a picture of both horns side by side and it's quite a sight! Could someone help me upload that??

tylerferris1213 wrote:...I do love the old Yorkbrunners. My old teacher's is definitely a close second to my Conn, and third place has to be J.c.'s rotary King. I have a picture of both horns side by side and it's quite a sight! Could someone help me upload that??

Use a photo sharing site such as Photobucket that's what I use. Attachments don't work on here anymore. I'll upload it for you if you need. I'll PM you my email so you can send the pic.

Lee Stofer wrote:I can't say that I have a favorite BAT - I've played almost every one of them made, and I love them all!

Oh, real helpful, Lee!

I've tried a few 6/4's over the years. Never much cared for most of the 345 variations, just too big and tough for me to hold. I remember playing Scott Cameron's Yorkbrunner when it has at BBC, and that was a really easy tuba to play and make a huge sound. It was like "whoa, I made that sound"? (And of course, it also amplified tenfold all my shortcomings as a player!)

I briefly owned a rotary Neptune, and have recently started to miss it. Not that I want of need a tuba that large, but it was simply a beautiful tuba, super easy to play, and sounded great. And it was beautiful, did I mention that?

Not very many 6/4 rotary CC tubas out there!