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I know almost everyone has looked through this link, of some of the monster tubas throughout history (if you haven't looked through it, treat yourself, it's worth it). The 1897 Big Conn Bass (32" bell, 208" in length) does anyone have any other information about this horn? Or happen to know where it ended up, or of it still exist? This horn has peaked my curiosity.

http://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2019/05/ ... s.html?m=1" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Interesting, I had never seen or heard of that horn. I'd be curious to know of its whereabouts (or fate).

The player looks like Hod Seavey, FWIW.

BTW, 208" is actually a little shorter than the length of a standard BBb tuba (12×18=216) - interesting that they made a point of that. Maybe that is due to the additional volume in the bugle?

I also understand that the horn was supplied from the factory with a bottle of liniment in place of valve oil.......

(I suppose they left off a 4th valve to reduce its weight a little )

I believe I've read somewhere (and I could be wrong, no worries) but the volume of the bugle does figure into the overall length/pitch. The player is Mr. Seavey, it does say that in the article.

roweenie wrote:I suppose they left off a 4th valve to reduce its weight a little

Who'd need it - and a good thing, as it isn't clear he can reach any but the 1st.

I believe we've discussed here how a wide bell flare extends the effective column length, so the axial length can be a little shorter with a wider bell flare. Not at all sure a wide bell would be the same, in fact I rather doubt it, but I guess we're talking about only a few inches.

Check this out. From the linked article:

"This horn is usually given a solo during the concert, and Mr. Brooke, knowing what the effect will be, always has it come on the stage the last thing before commencing the concert, and it is invariably received with applause."

Imagine. The musicians are in their places. The maestro is on the podium. It is time for the grand entrance of the tuba. The large, cannonball shaped man with the large dark mustache enters carrying the vaunted instrument. Behold! It is the tuba! The audience explodes with applause.

More importantly, when does the clone arrive from China?

All in all, this horn seems ridiculous, but I can imagine someone could sell a few copies for fun.

Let’s hope those ballistics were accurate...

That's a big, fat tuba -- a 7/4
Maybe it's the angle or something, but the bell doesn't look 32" to me. Those old news clippings were notorious for inaccuracies. Keep in mind most sousaphone bells are 24" to 26", with a few outliers. Don't the large Conn 2Xj series have a 24" bell? And this pictured Monster Conn from 1897 supposedly has a 32" bell; 8 inches larger? Hmmmm...

Someone just needs to convince Wessex to build these.

I’m sure the false tones would be pretty easy.

bloke wrote:

Matt G wrote:Someone just needs to convince Wessex to build these.

I’m sure the false tones would be pretty easy.

If (??) the bugle were only four times as long, It really wouldn't need any valves, would it?

Place a patent on this idea post haste!

Matt G wrote:

bloke wrote:

Matt G wrote:Someone just needs to convince Wessex to build these.

I’m sure the false tones would be pretty easy.

If (??) the bugle were only four times as long, It really wouldn't need any valves, would it?

Place a patent on this idea post haste!

When you file for a patent, you have to have a working model to take to be examined by a patent examiner. Good luck with carrying it at all, much less through the doors of the building up to an office!

The Big Ben wrote:.... Imagine. The musicians are in their places. The maestro is on the podium. It is time for the grand entrance of the tuba. The large, cannonball shaped man with the large dark mustache enters carrying the vaunted instrument. Behold! It is the tuba! The audience explodes with applause.

As well it should be!

Back around 1967 I saw and played on a tuba very similar to that one in Walter Sear's shop in NY. Then just a few years ago the same or a very similar tuba appeared in the Dillon Music collection in the Army Tuba Conference Elephant room. I took some photos, including one of a very petite young Asian woman trying it out. But now I can't find them. Perhaps Matt Walters might remember it.

I found the photos of the monster Conn which I mentioned above. Similar?

https://app.box.com/s/wmunzp7fawea8q9cwxgvcrvig6vlcxsu

https://app.box.com/s/pk8iktmn99u13nsk4uaw5u4atasmz6qb

Art Hovey wrote:I found the photos of the monster Conn which I mentioned above. Similar?

https://app.box.com/s/wmunzp7fawea8q9cwxgvcrvig6vlcxsu

https://app.box.com/s/pk8iktmn99u13nsk4uaw5u4atasmz6qb

Holy BAT

The original photo looks like a 3 valve and the others have 4 but overall looks similar