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So I picked up an old York Eb tuba today. Judging from the serial number and the database on Horn U Copia this is a 1930's horn.

Its silver, has a detachable bell, and came with its original cases in good condition.

The seller told me he thought it was Eb, but the previous owner before him modified the leadpipe. When I blow in to the horn it shows D on my tuner.

Now, of course this could be an Eb tuba.

But the dang thing is huge!!

The bell is 20" and the length is 26-27".

I've seen an ad online of a store selling an old York in lacquer finish with the exact same dimensions and they state theirs is a BBb.

I don't have my camera at the moment......

Oh, it appears the leadpipe mod involved adding about 2" of tubing to the pipe......

mark in Portland

Okay folks, I play mostly trombone and haven't had a sousaphone for over a year, my chops suck!

It seems that the fundamental note is actually a G on this horn, the D I was playing was another partial higher....oops.

It also looks like to me the leadpipe might have been shortened, not lengthened?

Any thoughts?

mark

Hey man if you ever get the chance to come down to eugene I and a few other people could try the horn out for you and tell you what you have.

PM me if interested

Go report this tuba for misconduct of air. Then we at least could have the mug shots to tell what is going on.

K

Which online shop has a York BBb for sale?

abracadabra wrote:Okay folks, I play mostly trombone and haven't had a sousaphone for over a year, my chops suck!

It seems that the fundamental note is actually a G on this horn, the D I was playing was another partial higher....oops.

It also looks like to me the leadpipe might have been shortened, not lengthened?

Any thoughts?

mark

That could certainly be an Eb horn, built to a frequency lower than A=440. The tuner could read the very flat Eb as a D natural.

An open false tone (below the legit 1-2-3 A natural three lines below the staff) would normally sound like an Ab, but if the horn was built to old tuning standards, then I can imagine a G natural, which I read as "actually a G . . . ." being heard by the tuner. It could be that what you call "the fundamental note" is actually a false tone.

Wow, lots of info.

I was thinking first off that because this horn was built late enough (1930s) it probably isn't tuned to some weird non standard, but who knows?

I can say it looks just like this horn here, exactly, even has the same dimensions they list, mine is silver though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TUBA-YORK-DETACHABL ... 5ad42e79cf" target="_blank

People mention maybe it being an Eb monster, although EVERY picture I've seen of a York Eb monster did not have a detachable bell.

The point to remember here is that some previous owner messed with the leadpipe and so as of now, no matter how bad my chops are, I have NO idea what the fundamental pitch is.

The long term plan is to take it to Randy @ Wally's music in Oregon City, he's the best brass guy around. I'm sure he'll know whats up, I'm just curious..................

thanks!

mark

PS I'll have pics on Friday

But does everyone think this is an Eb, even though the size is the same as an identical York model I linked to above?

In the end I don't care if its Eb or Bb, but , it would be nice to be REMOTELY in tune!

mark

"Fundamental of G" makes me think you're playing a false tone of some sorts. I vote for it being an Eb. But we need pictures!

Here's two quick pics!

I'm pretty sure this baby is Eb, now after playing it a bit I can blow a good in tune Eb through the horn.

Also I've noted that it plays pretty well chromatically up the scale, everything is slightly flat but maybe thats just my lip not being what it should be!

It sounds amazing, wow!!


mark

The top photo is a rather good sample of how photos should not be made, if the owner wants a pitch identification. The photo should show the full tuba and it should be taken perpendicularly to the plane of the tuba. The photo should emulate the original blueprint as much as possible.

Without being sure at all I think this tuba is a compact Eb. The leadpipe extension should come out, even if it maybe takes a competent repairman to avoid any damage done.

Pitch ID by playing only can be done by a competent tuba player. Players of smaller brasses, even of euphs or bassbones, may deviate from the true pitch until their playing has adjusted to the larger instrument.

Klaus

Okay yeah, the 1st pic was awful, here's a better one!

mark

Yes, really much better.

What maybe cheats is about some BBb tubas having a very similar wrap, but considering the dimensions given, I really think it is a compact Eb with a rather low-set valve block.

Klaus

Pssst, Klaus, why don't you suggest that he measure the length of the second valve tubing. I'll bet you could then tell him whether it is an Eb, BBb or whatever. Just the length along one side done with a simple ruler should suffice. Keep this method secret though.

Cheap trick!

imperialbari wrote:Cheap trick!

Oh Klaus, you have wounded me to the quick - I thought it was just an inexpensive trick as it would not even require a pair of inexpensive calipers as Bloke was exhorting all to purchase some time ago.

I'm gonna go sulk and maybe even cry in my beer now.

Ken Herrick wrote:

imperialbari wrote:Cheap trick!

Oh Klaus, you have wounded me to the quick - I thought it was just an inexpensive trick as it would not even require a pair of inexpensive calipers as Bloke was exhorting all to purchase some time ago.

I'm gonna go sulk and maybe even cry in my beer now.

Try to expand that experience doing some cry o’ genics to your beer.

K

Hmmmmmm, I do like my beer nice and cold but I'm not sure how well it would pour if it got that cold.

Ken Herrick wrote:Hmmmmmm, I do like my beer nice and cold but I'm not sure how well it would pour if it got that cold.

Would give a whole new dimension to lipstick.

Why measure anything? It's an Eb.