Left Handed Tuba

[PRO]

Right hand is not functioning properly due to a pinched nerve. Have been performing left-handed on my 1929 Holton Standard 3-valve front-action (same size as a York "33"). However, left forearm is not quite long enough, so there is slight pressure on the forearm, blood supply slightly cut off, arm getting tired etc. Time to build a left-handed horn for myself.

Would welcome photos of actual left-handed tubas. I know Harvey Hartman built some, but I've never seen one. Top-action vs front-action not important to me at this stage of the design process.

Please no PM's. Emails (pro@goes.com" target="_blank" target="_blank) or phone calls (908-850-1636) welcome. Thank you. Paul R. Ogushwitz, Hackettstown, NJ.

[The Big Ben]

Scroll down the attached page on Dan Oberloh's site. He converted a King euphonium from right handed to left handed for a man who also had problems operating a right handed horn.

http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/Complete.htm" target="_blank

[Dan Schultz]

Dan Schultz converted a Mirafone to left handed operation.

http://www.thevillagetinker.com/projects.htm

That's not a Mirafone but you can get the idea.

[Tubajug]

I've also seen examples where the linkage on rotary horns have simply been reversed instead of the whole tuba being taken apart and "flipped."

[largobone]

I have a colleague in my youth symphony who doesn't have a right arm and simply plays his Yamaha 641 (four valve rotary) with his left hand. I'm guessing it's a bit harder to operate the rotors higher up on the paddles but certainly doable. And I'm sure you'll have an easier time of it as long as you can still use your right hand to support the tuba somewhat.

I've also seen examples where the linkage on rotary horns have simply been reversed instead of the whole tuba being taken apart and "flipped."

This seems like a much better idea than having a horn built entirely from scratch. It seems you would only need to get some custom linkage, unless there's a way to tweak the current linkage to spin the right way.

[Dan Schultz]

Here is another picture - this is a Schilke

This horn is now living in South Dakota.