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Was it Bill Bell who had the 4 valve eb king Sousa.

Last time I saw it, it was bolted to the wall at Ruby Tuesday in Effingham, Illinois.

Don't know why you ask, but I have a 4v Eb sousa-turned-helicon from about 1943, with an Olds CC bell grafted on. It is one sweet player. I am looking forward to Tuba Christmases future, and Mardi Gras parades. Where would Mr. Bell have played such a creature?

According to the liner notes of "Bill Bell and his Tuba," one of Bill Bell's favorite horns was his four-valve King Eb sousaphone, and the majority of the album was actually recorded on that instrument.

How do the low D's sound on that album?

Everything sounded pretty darn good (including the low D's). Especially the death defying leap for the high E flat.

Bob Kolada wrote:How do the low D's sound on that album?

Everything that he plays sounds pretty much spot-on, especially in the low register. Intonation is good. Nothing jumps out as sounding wonky or out-of-place. He can seriously make the horn dance.

Despite some people saying this album is hokey, I really enjoy it, in spite of (because of?) its hokeyness. It's fun to listen to, it's a piece of history, and the man sounds great (both on tuba AND when he sings); he was truly a giant of the craft.

Also, the track with Bell, Arnold Jacobs and Harvey Phillips playing Moto Perpetuo in unison (until the last chord) sounds friggin' incredible.

Cool! FWIW, I'm referring to the "old Eb syndrome" thing; one that I know all too well....

I would not reply to this thread except I think I have a little special knowledge about the "Bill Bell Eb Tuba."

The person teaching most of what I know about tub aplaying that is good, was a man named George Black (nee Schwartz). He was a collegue of Bell and they had a close relationship professionally. The Eb tuba you are talking about was a joint ownership instrument. George told me it was kept in a locker at Grand Central Station so each of them could get it when needed. The ITEA web site has a couple of pictures of Bill Bell and George playing the rodeo at Madison Square Garden. I believe Bell is playing this tuba. Both men are mounted. When George left New York, he left the horn to Bell's use. I don't know what happened to it but the suggestion posted here is probably as good as any. I will try to attach another picture from that Rodeo appearance. Bell is on the left in this picture and, yes, both guys were pretty tall.