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Hi everyone.

I am interested in this tuba that was listed for sale as a 5/4 BBb.

In the bell it says Meinl Weston 1022, but I could not find this model 1022 in my search on Google.

Could you help me identify this tuba or give me some details about this model?





Thanks!

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Definitely an older BBb model. The fancy engraving on the bell, kranz, S-linkage, and different (traditional) 3rd valve tubing layout all scream "several decades old" to me, yet the tuba appears in very nice condition. Maybe it was refurbished at one point?
Dunno for sure, but the tuba really looks like a precursor or predecessor to the model 25 to me

I'm guessing more of a pre Fafner type horn based on the length of the bell and shape of the leadpipe. But it's just a guess. Ed

Fancy engraving often indicates a "more special" tuba. Seems weird that "Weston" was written before "W. Meinl" though. It doesn't say "Melton", os that means it was built for export (right?). Looks a lot like the MW-25, but with a different 3rd valve layout. Doesn't quite seem as wide in the bell/bottom bow as a Fafner or model 200, plus it has the horizontal tuning slide.

At any rate, it's a tuba that's plenty large enough and probably sounds fantastic. Good price? Looking for a big BBb? Might be worth a shot!

bort wrote:Fancy engraving often indicates a "more special" tuba. Seems weird that "Weston" was written before "W. Meinl" though. It doesn't say "Melton", os that means it was built for export (right?). Looks a lot like the MW-25, but with a different 3rd valve layout. Doesn't quite seem as wide in the bell/bottom bow as a Fafner or model 200, plus it has the horizontal tuning slide.

At any rate, it's a tuba that's plenty large enough and probably sounds fantastic. Good price? Looking for a big BBb? Might be worth a shot!

I went to check the tuba, and decided to buy it.

The sound was very good, and the price was about $3200.

Now I'm very curious to know the model and when it was made.

I don't know if it helps in the identification, but the bell is 17,7'' (45cm), and the length 41,3'' (105cm).

It looks very much like the MW 25 I owned in the '70's, though the 3rd valve is routed a little differently. The 17.7" bell says model 25 instead of model 20.

Ask Berliner Tuba about this. He is very knowledgeable about older European tubas and may well be able to provide more detailed date & model information.

Lamim Tubas wrote:I don't know if it helps in the identification, but the bell is 17,7'' (45cm), and the length 41,3'' (105cm).

Exact specs for a MW 25.

bort wrote:

Lamim Tubas wrote:I don't know if it helps in the identification, but the bell is 17,7'' (45cm), and the length 41,3'' (105cm).

Exact specs for a MW 25.

Yeah, that pretty much confirms what I suspected: a precursor to the model 25. The "W. Meinl" on the bell also indicates the tuba is pretty old. I know Meinl-Weston had their trademark 3rd-slide-in-front since the 1960s, but dunno exactly when they started doing it. This tuba here really looks like an older version of the M-W 25, but with the traditional 3rd slide tucked behind the 1st and 2nd slides.
I agree that the fancy engraving probably means custom or special order. But you still rarely see that on more modern horns. I'm thinking this tuba could possibly be an early 1960s? tuba made when the S-linkage and kranz were common on vintage Meinl-Westons, and before they changed to the 3rd-slide- in-front setup Would not surprise me if this tuba was refurbished/overhauled at some point, either.

Tom wrote:Ask Berliner Tuba about this. He is very knowledgeable about older European tubas and may well be able to provide more detailed date & model information.

Does he have an account here in the forum?

In these old MW, where did they put the serial number? I could not find any.

Is it normal for these German manufactures to change the design often?

TubeNet User Name: TheBerlinerTuba

He has a shop in Berlin:
https://berlinertuba.com/

Edit: the "1022" number probably is the serial number.

Tom wrote:TubeNet User Name: TheBerlinerTuba

He has a shop in Berlin:
https://berlinertuba.com/

Edit: the "1022" number probably is the serial number.

I PM him, but no response yet.

I'm going to upload a video of the tuba today, so you guys can check the sound.

Hello Lamin Tubas,
your BBb tuba is likely a 1950s vintage Melton (Meinl Weston) 4/4 BBb what later became known as the Model 25 with a 19mm bore. I prefer these earlier versions due to their lighter construction, similar to the vintage/modern discussion with Miraphone tubas.
I currently have a 6/4 version with a 21.50mm bore(dwarfs a Fafner!) sitting in my shop if anyone needs one.
Congrats on your new tuba!
Regards,
TheBerlinerTuba

TheBerlinerTuba wrote:Hello Lamin Tubas,
your BBb tuba is likely a 1950s vintage Melton (Meinl Weston) 4/4 BBb what later became known as the Model 25 with a 19mm bore. I prefer these earlier versions due to their lighter construction, similar to the vintage/modern discussion with Miraphone tubas.
I currently have a 6/4 version with a 21.50mm bore(dwarfs a Fafner!) sitting in my shop if anyone needs one.
Congrats on your new tuba!
Regards,
TheBerlinerTuba

Thank you for the details TheBerlinerTuba. :
In this case, I guess I could call it Model 25.

Thank you all for the help in this topic!!