I think we've all seen pictures of instruments from this outfit before, but this is the first time I've seen their version of a helicon.
Considering that the gooseneck/leadpipe/whatever on this instrument doesn't seem to be adjustable, I have to wonder (among other things) how they expect somebody to play it. I've heard of tubas with bad ergonomics before, but not anything like this.
This is so incredibly strange that I would love to have it as a wall decoration, but not at that price.
This is just a rarely seen version of the helicon used during the civil war known as the BTB (Behind The Back) horn. These rapidly fell out of favor because in retreat situations the assistant required to carry the helicon often ran ahead, leaving the tubist "holding the bag of crap", as it were.
Next week: Horns even the former Soviet Union soldiers wouldn't or couldn't play!
Look at how deep the mouthpiece goes into the "receiver". My guess is they gave this to the photographer unassembled and he (or she) never did figure out what those little bits of pipe were for.
Of course, I could be wrong and it cound be that no one at the factory has ever tried to play one of these.
I wrote to the seller and he said that there are tuning bits that come with it that are not shown in the photos, and for which he can't provide photos. He said that they are the same as the ones that they use with their sousaphones, but their sousaphone auctions don't show the bits either. The sousaphones clearly use the same body as this horn.
I still expect that either this or their sousaphone would be an expensive wall hanging.
Besson 983
Henry Distin 1897 BBb tuba
Henry Distin 1898 BBb Helicon
Eastman EBB226
Mark wrote:Look at how deep the mouthpiece goes into the "receiver". My guess is they gave this to the photographer unassembled and he (or she) never did figure out what those little bits of pipe were for.
Of course, I could be wrong and it cound be that no one at the factory has ever tried to play one of these.
Looks like it'd be a bits to play as shown ...
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
Daryl Fletcher wrote:...or maybe the same person who answers the phone when you need computer support these days.
Oh, you mean the folks who identify themselves as "David Wayne" or "Samantha Johnson".
So you've talked to them too.
Lew wrote:I wrote to the seller and he said that there are tuning bits that come with it that are not shown in the photos...
That certainly does clear up some things.
On the other hand, I have also seen pictures of sousaphones that have their bell on backwards, which somehow seems to lend credibility to windshieldbug's theory.
tubariffic wrote: I may just buy one of these to prove it's not that horrible.
Let us know if you decide to take the plunge. I think that a lot of us are more curious than anything and would like to find out how they really play.
tubariffic wrote: The lack of a gooseneck on this one is not a big issue, that's a super easy modification for a person with any modicum of repair ability. I may just buy one of these to prove it's not that horrible.
Modicum or not, there is no way on God's green earth that I'd want to work on a an instrument that's chromium plated. Solder won't stick to it--you have to sand said plating off to get a solderable surface. In my experience, the valves on Indian-made instruments are nothing short of dreadful.
Let's see $575 for the horn + $175 shipping = $750 for a chrome-plated wall hanger that's going to need work to make it playable. Doesn't sound like much of a deal to me!
I can't believe that you ALL missed the other great feature of the horn... NO TUNING SLIDES! Look closely at all the valve tubing! Exactly how would you adjust the pitch of this horn? But then maybe they don't actually tune their instruments in India?
Bandmaster wrote:I can't believe that you ALL missed the other great feature of the horn... NO TUNING SLIDES! Look closely at all the valve tubing! Exactly how would you adjust the pitch of this horn? But then maybe they don't actually tune their instruments in India?
Maybe this is one of those instruments which was "tuned at the factory."
Bandmaster wrote:I can't believe that you ALL missed the other great feature of the horn... NO TUNING SLIDES! Look closely at all the valve tubing! Exactly how would you adjust the pitch of this horn? But then maybe they don't actually tune their instruments in India?
Maybe this is one of those instruments which was "tuned at the factory."
That would be a great time-saver!
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
Bandmaster wrote:I can't believe that you ALL missed the other great feature of the horn... NO TUNING SLIDES! Look closely at all the valve tubing! Exactly how would you adjust the pitch of this horn? But then maybe they don't actually tune their instruments in India?
Bandmaster wrote:I can't believe that you ALL missed the other great feature of the horn... NO TUNING SLIDES! Look closely at all the valve tubing! Exactly how would you adjust the pitch of this horn? But then maybe they don't actually tune their instruments in India?
What, you've never heard of hand-stopping?
Is that the Indian equivalent of "talk to the hand!" ?
I would suggest that schlepporello put it in front of his big rig's radiator like a wreath and decorate it with Christmas lights. That way we would all know that it's him when he's driving down the road. Not only that, it would almost be tasteful.
On the other hand, I'm not so sure that I would recommend mounting it bell-forward for use as a hood ornament. Just imagine what would happen if it came lose while traveling at high speeds. Oh, no! Here it comes!
