Old Schuster- Pre-B&S?

[Heavy_Metal]

Look at the bell engraving showing where it was made............

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-1876-GE ... 41716527fe" target="_blank

[toobagrowl]

That tuba seems to be an early version/inspiration of the "Opera model" tuba, kinda similar to this Cerveny:



Looks very old......the styling of the ferrules, bracing, the wafer-thin clockwork rotor paddles, the cloud-shaped backplates, etc. It very well could be from the late 1800's.
It's anyone's guess who made it.....I've never seen a tuba like it before.

Very cool little tuba!

[Lingon]

This is an interesting thread.

On those old Schuster instruments there is a crown stamp. I have seen the same single crown stamp on instruments from Schopper which I understand is from Leipzig and around the shift from 19th to 20th century. There are also instruments just stamped with a single crown without any other engraving.

Dale's link with information is very interesting and there are a couple of names that feels familiar.

Then, according to horn-u-copia there were a lot of individuals in the Schuster history of Markneukirchen. Also to cite from horn-u-copia "It appears that the largest output was by the Schuster & Co. with a large steam powered factory with many employees." So maybe there was some instrument making going on by Schuster?

The actual horn that was pointed to in the start of this thread is stamped Schuster & Co, so according to what is written at horn-u-copia it might be that it was made by Schuster, not only sold by Schuster?

[toobagrowl]

I sent them a question Monday evening: "Do the valves & slides move or are they frozen in place, thanks". I've yet to receive a response from them.
If the valves & slides are corroded and stuck in place, that horn is definitely not worth what they are asking as it is at best a vintage wall hanger. There are lots of issues with the horn - mainly the crushed/heavily-dented main slide and fourth valve tubing - affecting playability. The denting/creasing of the bell and such are more easily repairable. There is a missing top screw-pin for the fourth valve.
If the valves and slides move, there is potential, but if not...

[Heavy_Metal]

Well, the seller did answer our questions:

Q: Do the valves & slides move or are they frozen in place? Thanks. Mar-16-13

A: both the valves and slides will move........a couple of the valves stick a lttle but with a little oil or grease should work fine, one slide comes out easy, the other slide is stuck but will come out.

Q: I have three questions about the functionality of the instrument. 1. Do the valves turn? 2. Can you blow air through the horn? 3. Can the slides be pulled? Thanks. Mar-16-13

A: Yes the valves turn, they stick a little but not bad, im sure they can be oiled and work better. yes you can blow air thru the horn, it does work. Yes the slides can be pulled out, one slides out easy and the other is stuck but will come out.

I'm a bit tempted, but it's going to take some doing to get it in playing condition. The fourth valve loop might need to be taken apart to get the dents out.

[toobagrowl]

^ Yes, I got the email notification yesterday and saw the responses. I figured you were the other one that asked that question

Anyway, now that we know the valves & slides move, this old tuba has potential.
The worst damage to the horn is the crushed main slide and fourth valve tubing. It would take a lot of work with a flexible dent rod & dent balls/barrels to get those deep dents out of the tubing. When dents are that deep, there is possibility of the metal cracking. But you can just sand/buff the crack(s) and solder it if it happens.
The other issues are easier to repair/get repaired.

If you don't mind doing all that or having it done, I say go for it It is a pretty neat old little tuba

[Heavy_Metal]

^ Yes, I got the email notification yesterday and saw the responses. I figured you were the other one that asked that question

Actually, I wasn't- must be another TubeNetter involved.......

[Heavy_Metal]

Sold for $650 plus shipping.

[toobagrowl]

...

[bort]

Sold...

...to you?

[Heavy_Metal]

No. As much as I wanted to, just can't take on another project right now, especially since my current one (a small Besson to be used for standing-up and hazardous-duty performances) is not finished.

Oh well- hope it found a good home, and will make music again.

[toobagrowl]

Oh damn....I thought you bought it My mistake.