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Please identify the make and model of this tuba. It might be unique, or it might be a fairly common horn with a modification for its player.

Isn't that the "...ander" of "Alexander" I can see on the bell on the left edge of the picture? It looks like all that has been done is the leadpipe modified for the player.

...or the "ander" part of Sanders?

Whatever it is, it's a mess. No clue what problem would be solved by putting the mouthpiece way up there. Plus, it looks like that 5th valve doesn't even have a linkage on it.

bort wrote:
Whatever it is, it's a mess. No clue what problem would be solved by putting the mouthpiece way up there. Plus, it looks like that 5th valve doesn't even have a linkage on it.

I also noticed that the 5th valve doesn't have any linkage... Could it be that the Valve is not actually used as a valve but used to make up the difference in length between the former and new lead-pipe?

Maybe this new setup helps with the ergonomics of holding up the horn...

PMeuph wrote:

bort wrote: I also noticed that the 5th valve doesn't have any linkage... Could it be that the Valve is not actually used as a valve but used to make up the difference in length between the former and new lead-pipe?

Or possibly for retuning, like some old trumpets and cornets I've seen that had a valve like that to switch between A and Bb.

I saw a fellow at 'Windjammers' in July playing a horn that had a similar modification. It was a rotary tuba that had a leadpipe that went over the top bow. I forget the rationale behind it all. All I know is that both the player and the horn played well.

This conversion looks a little 'wonky'!

I have seen a similar set-up, done better, on a tuba in Cincinnati. That one actually looked as if it had been made with the leadpipe extending over the top bow originally. German band players seem to like that arrangement.

bort wrote:...or the "ander" part of Sanders?

Whatever it is, it's a mess. No clue what problem would be solved by putting the mouthpiece way up there. Plus, it looks like that 5th valve doesn't even have a linkage on it.

Looking even closer, even with the limitations of screen resolution, I'm more inclined to agree with this, due to the apparent centering over the rest of the engraving.

Could it be he has problem with right eye and this enables him to see the music better?

Note that he is wearing a strap. However bizarre the ergonomics are otherwise, the modification does allow the instrument to be held almost vertically with its weight probably supported more or less completely by the strap, and certainly relieving virtually all the weight on the left arm while moving the bell out of the field of vision. It is a bit difficult to tell how much that valve slide is in the the way.