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King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:40 pm
by quesonegro
I'm thinking of checking this one out...
Does anybody have experience with this model?
I have a nice F tuba for most of my big band work, but I'm looking for a big Bb for certain things...
http://www.usa-vintage-saxophon.de/inst ... -4-ventile" target="_blank" target="_blank
Live Long and Prosper
//Mattis
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:13 pm
by Dan Schultz
quesonegro wrote:I'm thinking of checking this one out...
Does anybody have experience with this model? ....
Yes... I have lots of experience with this model. I have one that I use primarily for Dixieland music and three more reconditioned and for sale. That is a King model 1241. .688" bore. Very versatile and good playing horns.
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:36 pm
by Untersatz
the elephant wrote:I do not think you can order that recording bell any longer, for example. But Dan would know better that I about this.
The recording bells can be found on eBay quite frequently both used & beat up & also in very good
condition & sometimes even reconditioned. As far as the upright bells, I'm pretty sure that Kanstul
makes a replacement bell for both the King & Conn tubas. Lee Stofer can get them.
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:11 pm
by Untersatz
As Dan said, these are great tubas! I think we are all in agreement about that.
But I do agree strongly with Wade about getting an upright bell as it would add
so much more versatility to the instrument.

Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:40 pm
by Bob Kolada
This one? Wouldn't be have to pay VAT and all that nonsense?
http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/msg/3980904511.html
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:41 am
by Untersatz
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:52 am
by quesonegro
Thanks for the input guys! Shipping, VAT and customs fees would push the price up quite a bit on any tuba I would get from the US...
and as far as versatility goes my main axe is a Willson 3200 FA-5 XS...this one would be for a very different sound!
I'll swing by the shop this week and check it out!
Live Long And Prosper
//Mattis
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:50 pm
by TheHatTuba
the elephant wrote:
Yep. Hard to tell whether it is a fake ad, a Katrina looting item, or a seller who has no grip on the reality of the value of that thing. I have thought to contact him and find out. But as some of these LA ads have led to robberies, I am not convinced that I need to go that way...

Maybe Liberty Mo would know...
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43866" target="_blank
Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 12:03 am
by Untersatz
I suppose that it's not immoral to post pictures from the previous owner, but much can change
in the life of a tuba over the course of two years. And that's assuming that this seller actually
owns & has possession of this horn. I also find it amusing that when Liberty Mo had this horn it
was a 1241........now it is listed as a 2341

Re: King Bb 4 valve front bell
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:20 am
by Dan Schultz
TubaMusikMann wrote:.....I also find it amusing that when Liberty Mo had this horn it
was a 1241........now it is listed as a 2341

Very few folks know the real difference between the two horns, anyway. The model number changed in June of 1980 with serial number 780900 even though King produced horns before and after that date that were identical and still had detachable bells.