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Does anyone out there own one of the *small* Willson-made Marzan tubas? I've been trying to find more information and pictures, and maybe try one out if anyone here owns one. A section-mate of mine a few years ago had one (w/detachable bell), but I haven't seen one in person since then.

Anyone?

You might want to check Dan Shultz's Marzan page...

http://thevillagetinker.com/Marzan%20Horns.htm" target="_blank

Thanks, I know it well.

Just curious if there are more out there, or if any TubeNetters have one of these.

I have a silver 4 valve Willson-Marzan in Eb. The action (stroke) on the valves is really short; much shorter than the Conn short action valves.

I'm in Tucson now and will be flying back to Switzerland (20 hrs). I will try to post a picture when I get back.

Timswisstuba wrote:I have a silver 4 valve Willson-Marzan in Eb. The action (stroke) on the valves is really short; much shorter than the Conn short action valves.

I'm in Tucson now and will be flying back to Switzerland (20 hrs). I will try to post a picture when I get back.

An Eb Marzan? I've never heard of that! Have a safe trip!

bort wrote:

Timswisstuba wrote:I have a silver 4 valve Willson-Marzan in Eb. The action (stroke) on the valves is really short; much shorter than the Conn short action valves.

I'm in Tucson now and will be flying back to Switzerland (20 hrs). I will try to post a picture when I get back.

An Eb Marzan? I've never heard of that! Have a safe trip!

Me either. I'm gonna have to check back on this thread!

Here's the picture of the Willson/Marzan 4 valve Eb.

The sound is very good on this one and it's fun to play. The really short action pistons make fast passages really easy.

I guess that now explains the small Marzan mouthpiece.

Timswisstuba wrote:Here's the picture of the Willson/Marzan 4 valve Eb.

The sound is very good on this one and it's fun to play. The really short action pistons make fast passages really easy.

That's a new one on me. Of course... us 'Yanks' haven't seen everything The World has to offer. Can you email me some detailed pictures of the bell engraving and some close-ups of the valve section? I would like to post them on my 'Marzan Page' if it's OK.

It's difficult to tell from the picture you posted... but... is the main tuning slide on top like the image below:

Very cool! Thanks for posting!

And yes, that certainly helps clear up the small Marzan mouthpiece. I have one of those... too small for a BBb or CC tuba, for sure.

TubaTinker wrote:[ Can you email me some detailed pictures of the bell engraving and some close-ups of the valve section? I would like to post them on my 'Marzan Page' if it's OK.

It's difficult to tell from the picture you posted... but... is the main tuning slide on top like the image below:

The main tuning is not like in the TubaTinker's photo, it's on the bottom.

Here's a photo of the bell:

Tim, that's really cool! Any idea of its history? How did you get ahold of it?

Timswisstuba wrote:

TubaTinker wrote:[ Can you email me some detailed pictures of the bell engraving and some close-ups of the valve section? I would like to post them on my 'Marzan Page' if it's OK.

It's difficult to tell from the picture you posted... but... is the main tuning slide on top like the image below:

The main tuning is not like in the TubaTinker's photo, it's on the bottom.

Interesting and beautiful horn. I don't think the version you have made it to The States... at least it didn't appear in any US sales literature that I know of.

I guess Fred got around! RIP

bort wrote:And yes, that certainly helps clear up the small Marzan mouthpiece...... too small for a BBb or CC tuba, for sure.

You ain't kiddin'

I also have one. A small C-tuba, 4 valves. Nr. 9927

This is a GREAT thread!! Keep the pictures coming! It has been a while since I've had the desire to buy another tuba, but the smaller Willson-Marzan CCs have kindled my interest!

Back when I had my big Marzan, I thought it'd be really cool to have one of the small ones to go with it. I used to play in a community band where someone had a small one w/detachable bell, it was a very appropriate-sized tuba for a lot of stuff! It really needed a valve alignment, so it played pretty poorly, but I think it would be a very fine player with a little repair work!

Also, "small" is very relative. I think this still has a 17" bell, and is every bit a 4/4 tuba, whereas the B&M Marzans have a 19" bell and more of a 5/4 tuba.

Those smaller 'solo' models that were made by Willson are rare birds. I've been researching the Marzans for several years and only know of two of them... one in New Jersey... and one in Italy.

.

I saw/played on one in the 80's when I'd first moved down here at a high school in Cocoa Beach Florida where my orchestra was rehearsing. It was suprisingly good. Ed