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I've found a couple of pictures of these tuba-shaped things by browsing through old topics and looking through horn-u-copia, but other than that, I can't find much on these instruments. I'd like to find out more about them (and Orsi's other brass instruments, for that matter) but Orsi's website only lists oboes and clarinets, so are their brass instruments still in production?
To Anyone who owns one or has info on them, please respond. Pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Mine's just a little Eb with 3 top piston valves, date unknown - just to guess, maybe 50 years old. Not tiny, and it has a decent size bell flare, but a little short of what I think of as standard size for Eb. Small shank receiver. Does OK for my purposes, intonation is good.

I doubt they still make brass, but don't know. They used to make a full complement. I believe I had a catalogue around here somewhere, but it doesn't have pictures or detailed descriptions, basically just name of instrument. (If I remember right, instruments of the tuba family are all flicorni, apart from the odd bombardone or something like that.) I think they may have made one of those sousaphone baritones, too.

Not a tuba. But... this is the only instrument I've ever seen that was made by ORSI. It's a 'stencil' and bears the name of Linton, Elkhart.

Not a Tuba either. But this is an La Monte Bari Sax, which is an Orsi Stencil that was imported in the 70's. Currently non-op, but its sure built like a tank! Brass is on the thick side, and a huge bell flare for a Bari (From what I've seen anyway). One of these days I'll get around to overhauling it...

Orsi do, or did make a cimbasso in tuba shape. In fact they claimed to make the very first cimbasso used by Verdi.

Here's my Orsi CC tuba that I picked up at an instrument repair shop in a suburb of Rochester, NY back in 1972. I didn't know Orsi still existed. What I learned way back then was that Orsi made woodwind and brass instruments at the turn of last century. It doesn't play well at all, but I did use it at the NYC Tubachristmas several years ago.

Pelitti made the first modern cimbasso for Verdi... but the surviving firm gets to make the claim (see Conn's claim of the first Sousaphone). Orsi does still make the "tuba Verdi" on request, last I inquired.

J.c. Sherman wrote:Pelitti made the first modern cimbasso for Verdi... but the surviving firm gets to make the claim (see Conn's claim of the first Sousaphone). Orsi does still make the "tuba Verdi" on request, last I inquired.

Do you know how to get into contact with Orsi? (none of the links on their website seem to work)

Years ago a pro with a lot more experience than me said to stay away from any brass made anywhere along the Mediterranean coast.

So I had a Belgian saxhorn restored. Come to find out the maker was wanted for intonation crimes in 20 countries....

Dennis

What Key do you suppose this...thing is in? BBb?

Yes. BBb.

My Orsi Sousaphone, from the 1970s
In Eb, but now shortened to F.


I fixed the leaky joints, built a new leadpipe,
and a new receiver for it.
Intonation isn't like a modern tuba,
but the response is nice.
Here's a short clip:
http://youtu.be/9poeANHA9aY

Regards,
2165

Cool! looks like fun to play.

The last time I was at the Frankfurt Musikmesse, Prof. Orsi still had brass instruments in his display. That included a BBb tuba, which certainly didn't look like anyone else's. I think they are still around and still make tubas, on request, at least.

One odd trait is seen almost exclusively in Italian made rotary tubas: The concentric routing of the two branches of the 4th valve tubing. I have seen it also with relatively modern Kanstul tubas. Her the Orsi from up this thread: