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"York tubas" is pretty broad. They made some real piles of crap, as every maker has.

I haven't actually played a real York. I do have a Kanstul which is a direct copy of the original 66 and I really like the sound as do most people who hear it. I do have a 641 being restored. That horn is from 1906 and is a real York.

The 4/4 York I made for myself out of a York Eb tuba's bell and bottom bow is still the best CC tuba I have ever played.
I love it's sound. There is a perfect York dichotomy of the fundamental to overtones.
I like the way it fits me as I put the valve section and leadpipe where they fit me, not where it was easiest to put together.
I set the response with the custom made leadpipe and adjusted the receiver gap to my preference.
The build quality is better than factory York. I've taken enough apart to know there are a lot of sins under those factory ferrules. I see a few solder blobs from 18 years ago when I put it together that I should have wiped better but what the heck. It's mine.
The intonation is amazing.

What were the parts for the rest of your tuba Matt? Valves, bows, etc. I'm just curious. Thanks!

Tubajug wrote:What were the parts for the rest of your tuba Matt? Valves, bows, etc. I'm just curious. Thanks!

And can you post a picture of it?

There is a combination of factors that make J.W. York & Son tubas generally desirable. The design of the model 33 BBb and the monster Eb, and virtually all of the models larger than that, when leak-free, dent-free and are in good mechanical working order, offer a very resonant tone and excellent projection. There was a lot of institutional knowledge at J.W. York concerning metallurgy and metal-working, brace placement for enhanced sonic effect, tapers that offer very good intonation, and other design capabilities. In my experience, York tubas tend to have thin and very hard metal, lightweight valves, and good workmanship throughout.

There are a number of other vintage tubas that have these same characteristics in varying degrees, and those instruments are wonderful as well, but the York designs have been widely copied since the 1930's and the legacy of the tubas from York should not be underestimated.

What were the parts for the rest of your tuba Matt? Valves, bows, etc. I'm just curious. Thanks!

Do you want my social security number and birthdate to go with that? I would like to keep a few secrets but I can tell you I "copied" my York as the starting point for the Eastman EBC-632 CC tuba.

York tubas that are in good playing shape project pretty well and sound great.

Matt Walters wrote:Do you want my social security number and birthdate to go with that?

If they starting cloning you, remember, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!