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So, here's a question for the tuba community and especially for those of you who know your Melton / Meinl Westons.
I got this horn shipped in from Sweden (to Finland) today. It belongs to a widow of a deceased tuba player. It's a Melton Spezial, yes, but does anyone know more about this horn? The former owner bought it about 25 years ago. I have not found any more info, nor a serial number although it might be hidden on the horn somewhere. I have to decide wheter to buy it or return it this weekend. After playing (with) it for about an hour, I got to say I really like it. This would be my first BBb tuba, I have only tried very few borrowed BBbs but this feels like it would most certainly be worth what the lady is asking. It has a wrinkle on the bell - might be shipping - haven't confronted her with this yet, and the back caps of the 2nd and 3rd rotors are stuck. It also needs a good cleaning, and this potential buyer needs to practise more, but anyhow - if any of you know what horn excactly this is, I would be real greatful for any info!

It has a bell garland and a ball buster. The bell diameter is 416 mm and it stands about 106 cm tall.

Looks like the model 25 :

http://www.melton-meinl-weston.de/blech ... 5-315.html

I have checked the modern 25:s out, but the bell and wrap is more like the "narrow chimney" of the 197, the body looks like a 25. So, could this be what makes it so "Spezial"?

Maybe a MW-20 as well? I can't remember the distinction between the bell sizes for the two models. I think the MW-20 is slightly skinnier, like this one.

Looks like a great tuba!

bort wrote:Maybe a MW-20 as well? I can't remember the distinction between the bell sizes for the two models. I think the MW-20 is slightly skinnier, like this one.

Looks like a great tuba!

+1. The model 20 and 25 have the same bores and nearly identical valve sections but the bottom bow and bell is larger on the model 25.

Can't tell from the images but is the thumbring wedged in between the bell and a valve circuit? I think both the Meinl 20 and 25 did that.

Yes - it's soldered in between the bell and the 3rd's pipe.

Hello,
congratulations to a very good tuba, like all Meltons.
It has been for sale for more than a year.
Price has been decreased from 35000 to 18000 SEK.
Keep it, it's a bargain.
The word Spezial doesn't say anything.
I don't know why Melton writes it on the bell.
It's nothing special with them.
Myself I'm a proud owner of a Melton Spezial 200.
It looks very similar to yours however much bigger, like a big brother.
Bell is 500 mm wide and it's 1140 mm tall.
Mine is a Kaisertuba.
Good luck,
Lars

Tillykke!

Serial number could be on the bridge carrying the paddle axle.

My tool for unsticking valve caps is a plastic and rubber strap wrench that old people use to open screw lids, so I had it already.

Klaus

Here's a follow-up on my original question. I e-mailed and got an answer from the kind people at Melton Meinl-Weston in Germany. Their international product manager says the following: "it is a Melton model 20 which is basically a smaller version of our model 25: only the bell, bottom bow and leadpipe are slightly smaller making the model 20 a 3/4 size."

And, on my question what the "Spezial" really means - his answer leaves no room for interpretation (I've googled around and read various opinions on what this means). Fact here: "Melton Spezial" indicates the brass version; "Melton Ideal" was in goldbrass (but on the model 20 there was "Melton Spezial" only - no goldbrass version).

Had my first public rehearsal and gig tomorrow with this horn - still super happy and big thanks to the info from the Melton crew in Germany - Vielen Dank!