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I recently purchased an Alexander tenor tuba and am trying to date it. I sent photos and the inscription numbers to Alexander in Germany, but did not receive a response. Is anyone familiar with their numbering system? Any information is appreciated. I'm looking forward to having this cleaned up and in use.
The inscription on the bell rim is:
GRPPMZG 254 16
Here are a couple of photos:





Thanks.

I know the term "tenor tuba" can be vague, but the horn seems similar to the 146 model on the Alexander website. I do not have the horn in front of me for dimensions, but it fully accepts an old Herco EEb tuba mouthpiece. I'm assuming it'll take a large shank bass trombone mouthpiece.

This might help (or not...)
http://www.hornsociety.org/information- ... al-numbers" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Apparently Alexander did not use serial numbers (at least for horns).

This might actually help: My brass Alexander was represented to me as being from around 1967 when I bought it. It's 1980, and the only reason I know this is that Phillip Alexander showed me the ledger with my tuba serial number in the ledger, #2668. You'll find the serial number on the top plate of the second valve. It's quite small to read. Alexander started putting serial numbers on their instruments in 1975. These numbers aren't too reliable however. Alexander buys their valve sets from another manufacturer and they put the numbers on. Alexander doesn't make a lot of tubas these days due to the demand they have with their french horns, so valve sets might sit around for a while. The new C tuba I played there was number 24,006. Alexander also changed the way they made their bells around 1975 too. Before 1975, bells were made with a gusset, a triangular insert. This is just another way to tell whether or not your tuba is before or after 1975. It's hard to really know how old your Alex is unless you have first hand knowledge. I know my nickel horn is c.1964 because of my first tuba teacher. He had a student buy my horn in 1964 and it cost $495, with five valves, with a case and mouthpiece. I still have the original case and mouthpiece!
by Ted Cox » Thu Sep 29, 2011 5:22 pm

This is a B-Bariton in German terms. Equaling the model 150 on page 10 in the 1976 Alexander full range catalogue available in high resolution in my brass gallery.

The stop arm screws and the water-key spring point towards this being an instrument from before WWII. Not as wide in bore as the straight tenor tuba model, which Alexander calls a Baritontuba.

Klaus

Thank you for the response, Klaus. Do you have a link to your photos that does not require a yahoo account?