Martin 'Indiana' Recording Tuba Restoration

[SousaWarrior9]

I've been searching for some time now for a 4/4 Marin Medium to accompany my Mammoth tuba and sousaphone, and my search finally came to a close a few weeks ago when I found this old Indiana tuba. (Thanks to Tabor for directing me to the ad!)

The horn was allegedly owned by a studio musician for a radio station in Detroit many rears ago, and was purchased by the previous owner with paper route money as a kid.

Unfortunately, when I found it, it was hardly playable. The horn had been untouched for 15 years, was incredibly dirty, and the 3rd valve stem was bent, preventing the piston from moving. Shockingly, despite the valves being quite visibly worn, all the slides had an audible 'pop' and the valves were not leaky.

I set about cleaning out the inside with a bath for the body and swabbing the leadpipe, slides, etc. I also went about painstakingly polishing the slides, and valve caps, and so on, as well as straightening out the bent valve stem.

Finally, I went about buffing the main outer bows, and applying a 'scotchbrite' finish to the majority of the main bugle and bell.

I left the engraving untouched because I wanted to preserve it, as it is also one of the coolest engravings I've ever seen, and because the engraving still has the original patina, it stands out a lot better now.

Now, all it needs is new felts and a repaired water key, an additional bell screw (and mount) and maybe some dent work.

I've attached some before and after photos below.

Before (Craigslist ad picture):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mSNsrh ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

Stripped down to parts:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wwjXu3 ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

Cleaned slides and caps:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X_mu_Q ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

After (front):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nywAAl ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

After (back):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-mIZSu ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

Engraving:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPPc48 ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

More shots:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ym8O3 ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13oO5l5 ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

The newly formed "Martin corner" With all four of my Martins together: My Mammoth tuba, sousa, Committee trombone, and the Indiana all together!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZvjCBM ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

[roughrider]

That is a beautiful recording bell tuba that I am sure will play really well. Enjoy!!

[Greenbenches]

Beautiful, I love the engraving. I have a Martin Medium Bb made about 1933, with both recording and upright bells. The condition of yours seems comparable to mine and the valve wear is similar. I've worked out most of the bigger dents. Your mouthpipe appears shorter and I don't use a tuning bit.
I use it with the recording bell as my daily tuba and in my community band. I do use a Conn 20J for outdoor concerts but the just let a Mammoth cross my path....

[Heavy_Metal]

So, does it play as good as it looks?

[Art Hovey]

Boy, does that look familiar!

[SousaWarrior9]

So, does it play as good as it looks?

It plays pretty good! It has that Martin sound, but not quite as rich and full as the Mammoth. It also has more bite and edge and breaks up a bit easier in comparison, but that's comparing it to a 6/4 horn.

I once heard the Mammoth described as the velvet hammer, and I've never heard a better description of its sound. The smaller Martin may not be quite that, but it's a solid horn and I'm really happy with it.