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Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:12 pm
by Ken Crawford
Ambitious seller. I don't think I've ever heard a 3 valve Eb referred to as a "professional" instrument.

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:52 pm
by bigtubby
KiltieTuba wrote:
kmorgancraw wrote:Ambitious seller. I don't think I've ever heard a 3 valve Eb referred to as a "professional" instrument.
Don't say anything to the Europeans....
... or anyone who has played a York Monster or a King 1235 with decent valves ...

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 3:34 pm
by opus37
At the time these were made, a 3 valve Eb was a professional horn. Now, not so much. However, for a well cared for example with good valves, these can perform quite well for most situations.

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:35 pm
by tubapix
Looks like someone did a serious extension to the MTS :shock:
i am sure it was added to compensate for the original HP tuning.
http://www.hnwhite.com/King/Low%20Brass ... 0Large.jpg" target="_blank

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 2:16 pm
by bigtubby
tubapix wrote:Looks like someone did a serious extension to the MTS :shock:
i am sure it was added to compensate for the original HP tuning.
http://www.hnwhite.com/King/Low%20Brass ... 0Large.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
That slide looks just like the one on my 1258 (ca 1919). According to provenance from its previous owner (a trusted source), it is all original.

It was fairly common in those days to offer instruments in both high and low pitch. Two of the York Monsters that I own handled it differently:

1. 1905 Top action uses the "W" shaped MTS crook (I'm assuming that a "U" shaped slide would make it HP).

2. 1917 Front action has a curly cue which allows insertion of a short slide to either route the air through the curly cue (low pitch) or bypass it (high pitch).

Note the similar long MTS on my King 1258:
Image

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 3:04 pm
by Tubajug
Does that raincatcher/sousaphone play at modern pitch with that long main slide? I love that you can have it configured both ways!

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 6:32 pm
by bigtubby
Tubajug wrote:Does that raincatcher/sousaphone play at modern pitch with that long main slide? I love that you can have it configured both ways!
Yes, as pictured it plays perfectly A=440hz at around 70F so plenty of room for ambient temperature adjustment.

This is the perfect tuba: nearly "point and shoot" when played as a three valve, the forth gives some alternates for some easier long notes. With my "1251" conversion (made from two other horns and a home fabricated tenon), it's great for indoors (as Sousa intended) in original configuration as well as "blast it forward" for outdoor gigs with the bell front rig.

The biggest problem for me is that most of my gigs are in bars so I usually don't risk trashing this beautiful old instrument. :(

Re: Pittsburgh CL: King Monster Eb

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:05 pm
by Tubajug
It certainly is beautiful!