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I just watched Fantasia for the first time since I started playing tuba and noticed that there appear to be 3 diifferent tubas represented in the shots of the orchestra. What looks to be a TA EEb, a rotary stovepipe F?, and a side saddle Sousa. Does anyone know which were actually used in the performance? I believe it was 1939 Philly.

There was some discussion of this topic a while back:
here
(didn't answer your question

Philip Donatelli was the tuba player at the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1939 and played a Conn 4/4 C with front-action pistons at the time. I don't know if Donatelli was the tuba player for the recording, however. Others might.

And my understanding is that the soundtrack has been re-recorded once and that soundtrack was used for several years. Are you sure you are listening to the original version?

The musicians and instruments pictured in the movie were jes-fo-sho.

Rick "wondering why floor-sweepers get their names in the credits but soundtrack musicians don't" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:
Rick "wondering why floor-sweepers get their names in the credits but soundtrack musicians don't" Denney

That was asked a while back on the "Who Played Tuba" sub-forum. Jim Self gave a pretty good answer.

Rick Denney wrote:were jes-fo-sho

That answers my question. Also explains one of the horn player's embochure/horn position.

Rick Denney wrote:Philip Donatelli was the tuba player at the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1939 and played a Conn 4/4 C with front-action pistons at the time.

Using a King 2341 or Miraphone 186 as the standard for a 4/4, the Donatelli has substantially more girth and a considerably larger bell; it is about the same size (or a hair bigger) as the new generation of "compact 5/4" horns but with even more bell.

MartyNeilan wrote:

Rick Denney wrote:Philip Donatelli was the tuba player at the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1939 and played a Conn 4/4 C with front-action pistons at the time.

Using a King 2341 or Miraphone 186 as the standard for a 4/4, the Donatelli has substantially more girth and a considerably larger bell; it is about the same size (or a hair bigger) as the new generation of "compact 5/4" horns but with even more bell.

Too difficult to compare these instruments. The 2341 is small for a 4/4 by anyone's standard, despite its 20" bell. Compared to, say, my York Master, it looks like a 3/4. But that York Master really is a 4/4, and except for the bell is about the size of a Miraphone. 186's have a small bell (like most rotary tubas) and a compact wrap. But it encloses about the same volume of air as the York Master. I doubt that the Donatelli Conn encloses much more air, and I have seen one in person (or it was purported to be so).

But if it pleases you to call it a 5/4, be my guest. My 4/4 York Master is bigger than some instruments labeled 5/4, any two of which might not be able to make a Rudi Meinl 5/4 if melted down and recycled. The labels obviously have little meaning.

Rick "who won't quibble over arbitrary and inconsistent standards" Denney