TubeNet

Hi everyone,



I ran across this picture visiting a Hungarian tuba quartet's website.
It really looks like a Rudy bell but did they ever make a 3 top action piston model?

The valve section layout is also strange , with the 3rd valve slide in the front and I can't quite figure out how the other 2 are configured... Leadpipe seems custom too.

Is this a Frankentuba, a custom build or simply an older factory model?

Dunno what software the pic was treated with... I just pasted the address.

Just been looking for pics of large tubas for awhile and this is one I hadn't seen before. Seems like an awfully big horn for a 3 valve setup, a bit like the Conn 2xJ's. In fact the top bow of the 3rd valve slide reminds me of Conns but that's the only similarity I can find...

It's definitely one I'd like to get a hold of!!!

My vote is for Bohland and Fuchs, based on the top valve caps, ferrules, and overall wrap of the horn. Are my eyes playing tricks, or does the lead pipe enter the third valve first? I've seen Bessons that do that.
I think srja's reference to Adobe is hinting that the photo may have been manipulated to look like something it isn't. That would be my second guess, after Bohland and Fuchs. (Yeah, I just like saying Bohland and Fuchs )
MF

The picture is from a tour album on the Creative Tuba Quartet site. I would be tempted to believe it hasn't been retouched.

Thanks for the input Mike, I'll do more research on Bohland&Fuchs, Gralitz. So far, I haven't found piston tubas from them though. The B&F cornets and fluegels I found all seem to be rotary horns...but my search hasn't been very extensive.

I don't think you're having any visions The leadpipe is going into the 3rd valve casing.
The casings seem very long too, maybe a compensating horn?

I had an Eb tuba stamped "Pepper" that was made by B&F in the early part of the last century. It's a top action three valver. I was able to find some photos (I thought I deleted them long ago) but my firewall doesn't like my FTP program today, so I'm afraid I can't post them right now. I'd be happy to e-mail them to you if you're interested.
MF

Looks to me like the player is leaning the tuba towards a camera lens with a shorther than 40mm focal length (a wide-angle lens). This would make the bell loom larger. Check out the distortion near the edge of the picture.