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Hi Folks ,

I got a Rudy 4/4 body on ebay and debating what to do with it.
It's a Bb. Bell is 18 inches with 4 cracks and a hole.
No valves, no slides except 3rd.
Bore is 19.5 mm (0.768")

I always, always thought, even in my stuck up C only days that Rudy's Bb tubas (4/4, 5/4) were more centered and in tune. I had both C at some point so I had a good base to compare.

I assume getting parts from Rudolf Meinl would be pretty expensive.


What I have in the basement:
40 years old no name Alex copy S linkage (same as the M&M 1200)
Older King 3 Valves Silver with upright bell (needs a new set of valves)
B&S (VMI) 3301 that hasn't sold yet since I bought the 3302.

My main C now is a Schiller Miraphone Clone bought new at at half price but with some bell damage. It's supposed to be 0.768" but I better check with the caliper.

I wonder if Tom and Michael would be able to get me some parts from China.
On that subject, I need a set of valves for the King. Can't I buy a set for the 2341 clone too?

Feed me some ideas.

I'm also inline to "inherit" a Holton complete with original mouthpiece. Tuning is impossible (suspect h.p. because of super long tuning slide) but what a sound. I'd use the 3301 for parts if I had to. The 3301 does have graduated bore

It's interesting, the Holton has extention stocks on the main tuning slide. It doesn't necessarily mean it was built as a high pitch but I can be wrong.

It plays Bb ok, F of course flat like most of these big Holton and assume York. I was going to play it for a symphony concert but it's just so out of tune without the ability to push and pull slides.

Playing it makes me want to have one of Bart's Big Mouth Brass copies.

Do I "need" another horn? Hell no.

Oh, I forgot to add that I have a very beat up King Sousa with excellent valves. It's really for for parts.

That's correct in all counts. Horns from that era were often sold to accommodate h.p. and l.p.

I don't own this horn yet, but I have first dibs on it. I like to have a good plan and parts in place to make that horn useful. Right now, it's just looks nice. It doesn't look that big in the photo but as you know, it's a big horn.

I'm going to split that post because I need advice on the stash I already own.