Gnagey 5-valve CC tuba
Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2025 3:44 pm
I have retired after a lifetime of playing tuba. My age and health mandate that I start clearing the decks. I am now offering for sale a custom-built Sam Gnagey CC 5-valve tuba, with a Cronkhite leather gig bag, for $6000.00.
This tuba was custom built in 2009 by Sam Gnagey of Ft Wayne, Indiana, and I bought it that year. The bell and bottom bow (silver plate) are from a Chicago Frank Holton tuba, c. 1910. The rest of the body is from a King BBb, c. 1988. The slide receivers (not the ferrules) were cut to CC, and a rotary valve from a Meinl-Weston (with custom slide and linkage) was added as a 5th valve. At my request, the following further modifications were made:
1. the valve casing top caps were modified to allow installation of the later period large valve buttons
2. an additional Amado water key was added
3. the leadpipe was moved 1/2 inch higher on the bell
4. valve springs were replaced with euphonium springs
This tuba does not even remotely sound like a King, but instead has the traditional 1930s American sound, like the Arnold Jacobs sound, fat and heavy. It is very air-efficient, and is much more agile than most rotary valve tubas. I once played "Flight of the Bumblebee" on it without going into valve float. It is the best sounding and playing tuba I have owned in over 50 years of playing (9 tubas), and has excellent intonation. I wish that I had had this one while I was at Eastman. I have used this primarily in brass quintet and orchestral settings, for the last 10 years of my playing career.
I prefer not to ship this tuba. If you live within 6 hrs of Dallas, TX, I will meet you halfway.
This tuba was custom built in 2009 by Sam Gnagey of Ft Wayne, Indiana, and I bought it that year. The bell and bottom bow (silver plate) are from a Chicago Frank Holton tuba, c. 1910. The rest of the body is from a King BBb, c. 1988. The slide receivers (not the ferrules) were cut to CC, and a rotary valve from a Meinl-Weston (with custom slide and linkage) was added as a 5th valve. At my request, the following further modifications were made:
1. the valve casing top caps were modified to allow installation of the later period large valve buttons
2. an additional Amado water key was added
3. the leadpipe was moved 1/2 inch higher on the bell
4. valve springs were replaced with euphonium springs
This tuba does not even remotely sound like a King, but instead has the traditional 1930s American sound, like the Arnold Jacobs sound, fat and heavy. It is very air-efficient, and is much more agile than most rotary valve tubas. I once played "Flight of the Bumblebee" on it without going into valve float. It is the best sounding and playing tuba I have owned in over 50 years of playing (9 tubas), and has excellent intonation. I wish that I had had this one while I was at Eastman. I have used this primarily in brass quintet and orchestral settings, for the last 10 years of my playing career.
I prefer not to ship this tuba. If you live within 6 hrs of Dallas, TX, I will meet you halfway.