FS: Alexander 5 valve F tuba
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:24 pm
Hey folks, as much as it pains me...it's time to part with my Alex F tuba. I'm not using it nearly as much anymore and I'm past the point of sentimentality with my gear anymore. It's the 5-valve version and was imported by Giardinellis in New York back in the early 70's. I'm the second owner and have had it since my Juilliard days in the 90's. The previous owner picked it from a batch when he was a student, played it for a few years and then left it in the closet for 20 years. I found it and with Warren's help, converted all the valves to the newer uni-ball linkages, as well as adding a slide stop for the first valve. I used it to win my job in Seattle and for many concerts and recordings until becoming a Yamaha artist. Since then it has sat in a flight case, only to appear for Bydlos.
It is raw brass and in excellent condition. There a handful of tiny dents or dings that are almost impossible to see or photograph because of the raw brass patina. I do not have a case or bag for it. It is pretty clean and dry inside, so needs a good oiling or chem clean to get it up to speed and smooth out the valves. Valves are in excellent working order. I can arrange to have a great local tuba-tech give it a cleaning and servicing if the buyer wants to pay for it.
The scale and response of this tuba are as good as it comes for Alexander tubas. The only "needy" note is Bb in the staff. It's sharp and needs the first slide pulled out, hence the slide pull stop. Other than that, great pitch. First valve G, top space is spot on with slide pushed in. Ab and A above that are in tune with 2nd valve and open respectively. Speaking of which...Bydlo is a "can't miss" proposition with this tuba. The G# played 2nd valve is slotted perfectly. About the only gripe I have with the horn is the Classic German F Tuba low register....starting around Db,C,B. They are playable, but you have to practice the horn and figure out what it wants from you. Mouthpiece selection helps with that of course. It has a larger receiver, characteristic of Alexs from this vintage.
In short, this is one of the two best Alex F tubas I've ever played. Warren had the other one when I was a student and his is what made me search for this one. I tried a bunch before buying this one, using his as a benchmark. It's a really special horn.
I'm asking $5,500, plus buyer pays shipping. I won't send it out on trials, but you're welcome to come to Cincinnati and try it at my house....at my convenience. My work schedule with CSO is jammed.
Serious inquiries only, please. Pics below and thanks for looking.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fx4fsxsnk4ixg ... 6.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw92sx1zrwdli ... 3.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8c59yx8ie43mq ... 4.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcu3kr7dikroq ... 5.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
It is raw brass and in excellent condition. There a handful of tiny dents or dings that are almost impossible to see or photograph because of the raw brass patina. I do not have a case or bag for it. It is pretty clean and dry inside, so needs a good oiling or chem clean to get it up to speed and smooth out the valves. Valves are in excellent working order. I can arrange to have a great local tuba-tech give it a cleaning and servicing if the buyer wants to pay for it.
The scale and response of this tuba are as good as it comes for Alexander tubas. The only "needy" note is Bb in the staff. It's sharp and needs the first slide pulled out, hence the slide pull stop. Other than that, great pitch. First valve G, top space is spot on with slide pushed in. Ab and A above that are in tune with 2nd valve and open respectively. Speaking of which...Bydlo is a "can't miss" proposition with this tuba. The G# played 2nd valve is slotted perfectly. About the only gripe I have with the horn is the Classic German F Tuba low register....starting around Db,C,B. They are playable, but you have to practice the horn and figure out what it wants from you. Mouthpiece selection helps with that of course. It has a larger receiver, characteristic of Alexs from this vintage.
In short, this is one of the two best Alex F tubas I've ever played. Warren had the other one when I was a student and his is what made me search for this one. I tried a bunch before buying this one, using his as a benchmark. It's a really special horn.
I'm asking $5,500, plus buyer pays shipping. I won't send it out on trials, but you're welcome to come to Cincinnati and try it at my house....at my convenience. My work schedule with CSO is jammed.
Serious inquiries only, please. Pics below and thanks for looking.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fx4fsxsnk4ixg ... 6.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw92sx1zrwdli ... 3.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8c59yx8ie43mq ... 4.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcu3kr7dikroq ... 5.JPG?dl=0" target="_blank
