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My Thanksgiving was just elevated to another level. Late last night, the culmination of a long project was delivered. Martin Wilk took the bell and outer wrap of a 1930s Martin 6/4 BBb and paired it with a new-old stock valve set from a 1920s Buescher, resulting in a horn that is magical. This tuba is amazingly nimble for its size. The original bell is huge (23") but the sound is still articulated.
I was lucky enough to have Martin rebuild my 1924 Mammoth Holton helicon a couple of years ago and the results were outstanding. This horn is on another level. I hope this link works for pictures:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

Here's a toot from my first few moments with the horn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK-sc8dxARk" target="_blank" target="_blank

Congratulations!
That is a thing of beauty.
Please tell us the story of the NOS Buescher valve section.

Thanks, Kirley. Both the Martin bell and outer wrap and the NOS valve section were collected by Ann Arbor repair person Steve Mumford. The Martin section came from an old Detroit school (the bell is inscribed "Detroit Board of Education") and the valve set was from an old Detroit music store GOB sale, if I recall his story correctly. I had seen the Martin parts in his shop numerous times and he wasn't interested in selling them, as he had hoped to complete this project. Eventually he accepted an offer from me. Lucky me.

Damn that's a big Turkey... I mean tuba!

Gorgeous. That thing is going to be a thrill to play in a large band. Congratulations!

Congratulations on your beautiful horn. It sounds glorious and will be the foundation under any band you play in!

Very cool! It looks like a blast!

Fantastic! I can’t wait to play it. Actually, can I borrow it? I’m playing Bydlo on the next performance.