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Got a Distin (where the Keefers came from... )

Be aware that the later Keefers are not constructed at all like the Distin instruments. I've seen a couple of Keefer monster Eb horns and they seem to be not much different from other Eb monsters of the time.

Also, that one has a cracked mouthpipe.

I used my Eb Distin for years when I needed a Bass Tuba, until I could save up for a proper F. I thought it had a great sound, but it also suggests to me that if you're even thinking about it, PLAY IT first. And remember that it's three non-comp!

I like this one just for the valve buttons:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0045985440

Yes, though not a tuba, it's a 3+1 Keefer "Oxford" baritone (which has the 4th valve stuck... )

TubaView wrote:I've got a Keefer 4v rotary Bb. Odd duck, but a wonderfully different sound. The mystique with Distin/Keefer is the triple-plating and the european craftsmanship. Keefer was the successor to Distin and inherited the same plant & employees. I've got the original incorporation documents for Distin in Penna showing Brua Keefer as majority stockholder. I believe Keefer only made like 25,000 horns before folding up shop. Silver horns are pretty...

The 25,000 sounds about right. I had a Keefer-Williams trumpet with a serial number of 25,xxx (can't remember the rest), that was from about just before the factory fire that closed the business.

I own a Keefer Eb tuba, but with a larger bell than this one and without the enameled finger buttons. It is a decent player, but similar to other 3 valve Eb tubas from the era. I believe that once Distin moved to Williamsport Keefer really ran the business and Distin was there to provide the "name." That's why I think the early Keefer instruments are nearly identical to the later Distins. Although the very early Keefers had the fancy decorative braces and ferrules, he dropped them shortly after the name change. I bet he was just using up old stock. In the latter part of their existance Keefer was known more for making "school" grade instruments rather than professional grade.

This is probably an OK playing horn if you can deal with a 3 valve Eb. The problem is you can't really tell if it has useful false tones, because I find that to vary from horn to horn, even among these same models.

I just asked the seller if it has good false tones. We'll see if he knows what those are....

In the 3/4 size 3-valve Eb I have, the false tones are very playable, and more open than the "regular" tones. And the tuba is flexible enough to play those tones in tune. Unfortunately it is sharp up high (not lippable by me) and flat down low (also not lippable by me.)

My Keefer Eb alto is high pitch but has "reasonable" intonation for an Eb alto. Not up to Yamaha standards but not awful either. And it has that gorgeous engraving. Needs a valve job though, and shorter extenders to make it work in a modern US brass band.

MA

Chuck(G) wrote:I like this one just for the valve buttons:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0045985440

I bet the person could probably make $100 from the valve buttons from a euph. nerd, or a trumpet player

Many Keefer cornets and trumpets have the same buttons.