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Looks a lot like that top-action rotary Martin that someone on the board here owns (and had fixed up at Oberloh's). Neat tuba, hope it stays intact!

Actually it's a Martin Top Action Piston Tuba. I've been eyeing it but I am sufficiently satisfied with my 3 banger Martin. I'm sure if Dan sells it, the horn will leave the shop playing great. If you want a tuba with a great, big American sound, then go for it! I'm wondering how those pedal notes would be with that fourth valve?

Did you buy it, hrender? I see that it's marked SOLD!

Where are the traditional 'square' Martin bows on this horn?

Does my 1935 horn qualify as squared?

YORK-aholic wrote:.... I can't believe I just said, "My bottom bow is more squared off than yours."

Does this qualify as the new silver/lacquer/raw brass issue?

Here's a couple of comparrison shots for the fun of it:

My 1932 Martin Mammoth and 1925 Renowned (w/MAW valves ) Sorry about the Blurriness!


My Mammoth and Wes' 6/4 CC Nirschl York Copy

It has always interested me that so many of the older front-valve horns look as if they were made with sousaphone valve sets. Look at the angling of the valves and how close to the top of the tubing they are. Valves like this are more comfortable for me than lower sets where you have to angle your wrist sharply to the right. I've wondered also how much this design affected Fred Marzan's designs.

I think those valve sets were also positioned that way for recording bells which were intended to be held at
more of an angle than upright. There are differences in the angle of the pinky valves between one piece uprights and detachable bell fronts as well. Paul scott and I took some measurements and they are small differences, but definitely there.

I think us New Jersey Martin guys need to get together for a Martinfest!

Mark Heter

Martin definitely made side-action valve-sets specifically for either recording or upright bells. The recording bell models were made to accommodate the player making a slight tilt of the horn to the left, (ostensibly making it easier to see past the bell). I have some photos that illustrate the difference that I will post later.

Yes, it is a good one. But I only got to play it for a few minutes in the elephant room. Great response, tone, and from what I could tell the same great Martin intonation. It doesn't have the right bits, just a couple of Conn sousaphone bits. Martin Wilk makes some great reproduction bits for these with Euro and American receivers and a few different tapers too. Hope this is helpful.

Yes, it is a good one. But I only got to play it for a few minutes in the elephant room. Great response, tone, and from what I could tell the same great Martin intonation. It doesn't have the right bits, just a couple of Conn sousaphone bits. Martin Wilk makes some great reproduction bits for these with Euro and American receivers and a few different tapers too. Hope this is helpful.

At Mark, a mammoth summit perhaps? Sounds good!

Here's a shot comparing the valvesets of two of my Martin BBbs. On the left is a 1940 Martin BBb that I believe was configured for a recording bell. To the right is a 1933 Martin that was made for an upright bell, (Frank's 1931 Martin has this configuration and I've also seen it on Martins from the 50's and 60's that were fitted with upright bells). There may not appear to be much of a difference but you can really feel it under your fingers! The recording bell configuration really makes you stretch for the 4th valve, so much so that Martin Wilk made a special button extension for me (not in this photo). You can see the difference if you look at where the 4th valve cylinders are in relation to the lower 3rd valve tubing. You can never have enough Martins!

I'm going over to bb to try that Martin in a couple of days when they allow me to lift (just had a stint put in the back of my leg 2 days ago)They put it on hold for me for a week..I like it's looks I just hope I have the air for it!I with my COPD have never played a Martin..by the way what is the bore size if it's like the holton and york I'll be OK thanks for telling me how it performs.....BB