Alexander 163 BBb

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

I'm pretty sure this is a B&S/VMI stencil for Alexander. The bore size, playing characteristics, all point that way (for better and worse). It was in pretty rough shape when I got it, and has been brought back to playing condition. It still has some dents and lots of scratches. Plus it was re-lacquered at some point in its history. I've decided that I like my other large BBb better, so it's time to move it on.

Asking $3500 with a Protec gigbag, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I'd prefer not to ship it, but would at the buyers expense.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

[burningchrome]

I'm curious, you said it's a stencil, but it's got an Alexander kranz. Did you put a genuine Alex bell on it in your restoration, or is that original?

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

It is as received by me, I just had a repair tech fix some issues when I got it. I have no reason to believe the bell isn't original, but who knows! It's pretty old and has seen some mileage, so it possible it was replaced with an Alexander bell at one point. In the 1930's Hess/B&S/Weltklang built the model 101, which is basically an Alexander 163 with a 19mm bore instead of the 20.5mm bore. The pitch on these is a little easier to manage. Here is a website that talks about that a little; https://brassandpipes.wordpress.com/page/3/

It has a couple of other little things that make me think its not 100% Alexander. The valve paddles are slender, like the early B&S paddles not more oval like I've seen on other Alex's.

All that said. It's a good playing 4/4 rotary BBb that sounds like a big German tuba. I'm just trying to be honest about what I think it actually is.

[Brendan Bohnhorst]

bump for price update - $3500