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Hi!

Not expecting much positive response, but what would people feel about a travel (childrens) tuba in Eb? And furthermore (for any 3+1 players/brass banders out there) with the fourth valve on the left hand?

Hi!
Neptune, Mack and myself have a source for such a Tuba, but none of us has laid hands on one yet! You might PM Neptune before he leaves for China and inquire about that model...
I'm not sure how a "travel" EEb would go over here in the states. Maybe a few Band Directors would use them to convert Trumpet or Treble cleff Baritone players to Tuba at an early age? I would think the UK might be a good market for such a Tuba, though they don't appear to be less than 2/3rds the size of those little 4-rotor Cerveney's.

Al

Hi Al,

Are the tubas you have access of a similar size to the travel F Neptune is selling? I'm not familiar with Cerveny Ebs so I can't think to compare. I've been in touch with a company over there to discuss the production of one with a similar size to the Travel F that's over there, but the first one I want get hold of is a rotary 3+1, because of an accident on my right hand meaning I can't use my little finger independently. I thought maybe if there was a market for it (I've asked on themouthpiece but no one seems to understand what a travel tuba is) I could get some more for others to enjoy to, especially those who have never played four in a line before.

Bob

Hi, Bob!

I am unaware of any small 3+1 EEb's, at least not THAT small! If you find a maker, see if they'll send you one! The shipping will probably be EMS(EXPENSIVE!) for just 1 Tuba. I haven't seen the 3 upright valve instrument in person, but if it's the one I'm thinking of, you may wish to inquire of Neptune when he arrives back from China...I suppose one might be able to have a set of "EEb" slides made for the 4-rotor F on Neptune's website(and possibly mine too...), and have a "European left" linkage adapted to the horn. But such "double" instruments are hit and miss, usually miss! Plus neither Neptune or I have played on one of these Jestaedt model 80 clones yet! If you've found a 4-valve EEb travel Tuba source, you might want to keep it under your hat if you're entertaining going into business! Neptune, Mack and I are cooperating in our efforts to supply decent playing, inexpensive instruments, But the US (and Canada) is a HUGE market, while the UK seems rather limited, so if you find a niche instrument first, you may not be anxious to share your source, especially at first...

Good luck,
Al
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Bob, I will PM you to discuss this further, but I do not know of any Eb travel tuba as such. If the Chinese travel F could be lengthened to Eb, will be able to evaluate better when I have in stock in just a couple weeks.

I would love such a conversion to work, as can see good market for such in the UK, but have my doubts looking at the illustration.

One other idea I have is to get an inexpensive Chinese small 3-valve Eb such as below and then have a 4th valve and loop added by tech in the UK. Don't know if that would be small enough, or would work?

If you want to try, then I can order, or maybe even pick up one in China as I am visiting the factory where they are made.

I earlier posted about a compact cimbasso/practice instrument I made recently (just heard it perform Pines of Rome!). I am working on a second and third, one in BBb and another in Eb. Details as they become available

3+1 is something I hadn't considered; Thanks for getting the wheels in my head moving!

J.c.S.

J.c. Sherman wrote: 3+1 is something I hadn't considered; Thanks for getting the wheels in my head moving!
J.c.S.

I would think this would be easy (easier) with a small front-action rotary-valved instrument, a la the scherzer piccolo trumpet. Put the valves in the normal spots and turn the linkage around.



--T. J.