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Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 12:21 pm
by dantetuba
Hi there.
Recently I found a Tuba York & Sons EEb, 1914. With 3 front action valves. So far I have not had the opportunity to player it, but I want to review of someone who has already played in a model of this. From what I know
size of the bell is 19.5" and bore is .710". What you would tell me about that tuba?
I appreciate everyone's help
Dante
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:47 pm
by iiipopes
It probably has a magnificient tone, and intonation problems.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:58 pm
by dantetuba
Hummmmm.
Interested....
If I buy will have some problems with intonation ....
This Tuba is being sold in Baltimorebrass.
http://www.baltimorebrass.net/pic.php?id=861" target="_blank
It is tempting to buy a tuba like this, but it seems I will have big problems...
Thanks
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:40 pm
by The Big Ben
dantetuba wrote:Hummmmm.
Interested....
If I buy will have some problems with intonation ....
This Tuba is being sold in Baltimorebrass.
http://www.baltimorebrass.net/pic.php?id=861" target="_blank" target="_blank
It is tempting to buy a tuba like this, but it seems I will have big problems...
Thanks
The owner of Baltimore Brass, David Fedderley, is an honest man with a good reputation. He's a notable tubist also. Call him up and ask him about the horn.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:42 pm
by Bob Kolada
I think i played that horn. it played fine with a decent low bb, but while intonation was better than usual it was still off. stick with a small eb to go with your 5j, youll be happier overall.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:26 pm
by EdFirth
The tuba player in the symphony here has one. Kanstul copied it and added a fourth valve.If you can work the first valve slide the pitch should be fine as with any other good tuba. I own one of the four valve top bangers which Kanstul also copied. The pitch is far better than I ever would have imagined. The "how many cents" mentality is useful but the main thing is can you play in tune with others. What I find with mine is that it has a big dark sound with a really friendly high range, like an extension of your big tuba. Dave Fedderly will be straight with you, his opinions are Way valid. If you can go to his shop play the old York and a new Kanstul. Then you'll know. Also remember to take some heavy oil for the York as the valves are quite old and must leak by now. Good luck, Ed
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:01 am
by Bob Kolada
if it has a good low d everything else is probably good or at least learnable. that d is the hardest note to fix, impossible sometimes without a main slide rod.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:23 am
by Tubawaves
Hello! Please read Ed's reply above. I am his friend and the symphony player he references. I played mine tonight with the orchestra brass section in a rehearsal for an upcoming concert. The instruments have incredible tone color...heck mine plays in tune...especially if I play the note in tune...(tubas don't actually play themselves). I played the same instrument last year on several orchestral works...such as Russian Easter Overture...great! The only Eb that I think is better than an old York like this is a new Kanstul...! If you have opportunity, head over to Dave Fedderly's shop and play the old York and a new, American made Kanstul, and ask Dave what he thinks...he is a wonderful person and fantastic tubist.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:27 am
by dantetuba
Thanks
I will check with David.....
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:08 am
by J.c. Sherman
These large York Ebs have charmed folks I know who "hate the sound of a tuba". They are worth the intonations efforts, which are not grotesque by any measure.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:07 pm
by circusboy
I had one of these, but with top action valves. As others have suspected, beautiful tone and intonation difficulties.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:59 pm
by dantetuba
I believe that the front action valves with easy adjustments that pitch of a Tuba with supeior action.
Thanks
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:14 pm
by dantetuba
I'm thinking of actually buying this tuba. I think these new views are helping me a lot.
Thanks
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:32 am
by hbcrandy
I bought that exact model from Baltimore Brass Company about 6 years ago. I had it modified by replacing the stock York valve set (.656" bore) with a .687" bore, 4-valved set built by combining two 3-valved sets from Buescher Sousaphones. I also had added a fifth rotor (.690" bore) from Meinl-Weston. The leadpipe was a stock pipe from Allied Supply Corporation in Elkhorn, WI. Though the design was my own idea, Bob Pallansch in Falls Church, Virginia did the assembly and 5th valve lever design. Bob does GREAT work!
I use this tuba as my bass tuba. It has played Symphony Fantastique, Rite of Spring and Franck's Symphony in D Minor, to name several. Next season I will use it on Petrouchka. It also works well on cimbasso parts. The sound is big and the intonation is excellent.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:38 am
by dantetuba
Thanks

Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:03 am
by dantetuba
Hello everyone.
I bought the York Tuba.
Do not know if everyone knows but I live in Brazil.
I have a friend who goes to New York next week, it will bring the Tuba for me.
I found a set of valves of Souzaphone Holton in E flat, I'm intending to use it to adapt a 4th valve. But the measures of Tuba York are 0.656" and the Holton Tuba are 0.689". I am sure that using a larger bore for the 4th valve I will have a more full sound. Here in São Paulo has a very good "luthier" who can do this service.
I'll post pictures soon and comments about Tuba York at all.
Thanks to David and Andrew for their attention and help.
Thank you all for your help.
Dante
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:42 pm
by Donn
Oi Dante -
Yes, hope to hear it turns out well. As you may know, air travel is quite perilous for large instruments. Baltimore Brass will know how to do it with less risk.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:02 pm
by dantetuba
Obrigado Donn
(Thanks)
Dante
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:33 pm
by Alex C
You may have a true York Monster Eb. You see a lot of the 3/4 York E-flats for sale on Ebay and at shops and are aleays referred to on BBS's as Monster Eb's.
I have only seen two true Monster Eb's from York and none recently for sale. I remember the sound was magnificent but I cannot attest to the intonation characteristics.
Re: Opinion about EEB York Old
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:51 pm
by dantetuba
Thanks Alex.
I'm sure I made a good purchase.
