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Large Franken F Tuba?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 6:40 pm
by TheHatTuba
Has anyone tried taking a large recording bell eb (like a king 1235 (I think)), putting a short fixed bell and makeing the appropriate trimmings? It would be similar to what Mr. Gnagey is doing with his 4/4 CC horns except a large F.

Re: Large Franken F Tuba?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:38 pm
by Dan Schultz
I used to play a recording bell King Eb (yes... it is model 1235). I even added a 4th valve and the intonation was still horrible! As a three-valved F tuba I would think it would really stink.

Of course, there's an off-the-wall chance that cutting it might have improved it. But I wouldn't have made the investment of the time to try it.

There's difference of about 1 1/2 feet between an Eb and an F. ... much more than you can get by simply putting on a shorter bell. Eliminating the leadpipe tuning slide might get you there but the taper out of the cluster wouldn't allow adding a tuning slide there.

Re: Large Franken F Tuba?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:04 pm
by TheHatTuba
Bummer :cry: . Oh well, ill just stick to Eb.

Re: Large Franken F Tuba?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:28 pm
by Bob Kolada
Let's see that little York!

Re: Large Franken F Tuba?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:39 pm
by TheHatTuba
Bob Kolada wrote:Let's see that little York!
She's much to look at unfortunately but it was nice to learn Eb on it :tuba: . I'll post pics eventually......

Re: Large Franken F Tuba?

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:04 pm
by SousaSaver
TubaTinker wrote:I used to play a recording bell King Eb (yes... it is model 1235). I even added a 4th valve and the intonation was still horrible! As a three-valved F tuba I would think it would really stink.

Of course, there's an off-the-wall chance that cutting it might have improved it. But I wouldn't have made the investment of the time to try it.

There's difference of about 1 1/2 feet between an Eb and an F. ... much more than you can get by simply putting on a shorter bell. Eliminating the leadpipe tuning slide might get you there but the taper out of the cluster wouldn't allow adding a tuning slide there.

Dan is 100% right. I think there is a rule of thumb that I have learned that most people should remember: if it doesn't play well as-is, chances are cutting won't make it any better. You might make it better, but it truly is a gamble.