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Vintage English Made Boosey "Solbron" Tuba

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 6:09 am
by jmviehmann
https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/49698496" target="_blank

Does anyone have any info on this horn. Not sure what key it is in or what it is worth.

Re: Vintage English Made Boosey "Solbron" Tuba

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 6:22 am
by PMeuph
Made in 1911 according to this website:

http://homepages.ed.ac.uk/am/bsnboosey.html" target="_blank

Most likely a BBb tuba. Could be high-pitch or low pitch. The valves are probably worn.

I wouldn't go any higher than the current price.

Re: Vintage English Made Boosey "Solbron" Tuba

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:46 am
by jmviehmann
Thanks for the info

Re: Vintage English Made Boosey "Solbron" Tuba

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:16 pm
by humBell
I am a bad judge of monetary value, but i am a passing fan of the early Distin family, and seeing how this has a 4th compensated valve, this to me is more interesting than your average 4 valve old tuba. And extra interesting in being 4 rather than 3+1.

As for high/low, it does have a longish MTS slide offset to miss the lower bow, so i'd guess low, and speculate there is a low, but non-zero chance it has been adjusted for modern pitch...

I wonder how difficult it would be to ask the seller for photos of the valves?

Anyway, i hope it finds a worthy new owner and a good home!

Re: Vintage English Made Boosey "Solbron" Tuba

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:23 pm
by PMeuph
humBell wrote:I am a bad judge of monetary value, but i am a passing fan of the early Distin family, and seeing how this has a 4th compensated valve, this to me is more interesting than your average 4 valve old tuba. And extra interesting in being 4 rather than 3+1.

As for high/low, it does have a longish MTS slide offset to miss the lower bow, so i'd guess low, and speculate there is a low, but non-zero chance it has been adjusted for modern pitch...

I wonder how difficult it would be to ask the seller for photos of the valves?

Anyway, i hope it finds a worthy new owner and a good home!

By all means, I wouldn't tell someone how to spend their money if they are convinced that it is the right horn for them. To me, collectible items are fun, but if they serve no purpose then I don't wouldn't any money into them. Ths could be a useful tuba but it is not much more functional (ie. usable in a band) than a similar-ish modern tuba (like a Yamaha YEP-201?). Presumably, it doesn't bring a new sound palate or permit one to play in a replica band. It will also not en up being worth tons more because tubas are not really collectors items, they are user items.

You do raise some interesting points, the 4 on top is unique,and it might be low pitch.

My assessment of the worn valves is based on the two euphoniums I've purchased from that make and era, with worn copper valves. Pictures might help, but the true test will be with a micrometer.

Re: Vintage English Made Boosey "Solbron" Tuba

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 11:47 pm
by humBell
I am curious to ask how it turns out if anyone here got it.

But i'm often to lazy to share my vague opinions regarding what i got, so no worries.