$5k-Alexander F tuba 4+1 +wiseman hardcase
Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 4:35 pm
Hello Tubenet after finally getting my account password reset I'm back, sorry if you were trying to get a hold of but now that my performing season is more or less over I need to put my bass tuba back on the market. I've been told the vintage of this horn circa 1930s to 1950s, but with old Alexanders made before the 70s it's quite difficult to be sure. The valve set up is 4+1 with the fifth valve having the ability to be set up either as the now typical flat whole step or the 2+3 which is what I prefer, you simply have to remove or add some tubing on the fifth slide, no major surgery needed, i will ship the horn in either configuration you choose you but you will get both slides regardless, The four original valves are clockwork spring valves that I have rubber bands on to speed them up the and the fifth which I added is a modern linkage valve, the second valve spring is weak but ive used it this way and have never had problems, the leadpipe was also replaced sometime ago and the new leadpipe has greatly improved the low register response openess and tone that German rotary F tubas are notorious for having down there but now the lower register is quite good and rivals some of the new F tubas in tone quality, you can really push some air and punch out pedals and with a more controlled air stream it can provide a very dark and dense tone quality, not as broad a sound you could get from a verh large F tuba like say a 2250 but it's still very impressive, and definitely better than the other two Alexander Fs I've played. The mid and high registers are very typical of an Alex, the mid register is very pleasing to the ears warm and smooth and the higher register up to the G, A, Bb are very lively in color and pretty accessible, meaning that they aren't hard to play if you've got the chops by any means. Once you've got your slides in the proper place and you've spend some time with it the intonation isnt anything to worry about and the slots are very flexible, you can bend the pitch almost two whole steps of you really try, so it's all a matter of just learning how you're mouthpiece and chops fit with it. I'm asking $5000 now to help fund another purchase of something a bit bigger, as ive recently been asked by my conductor to try and find a larger F tuba, Also comes with the old Bruno Tilz mouthpiece I recieved with the horn when i first bought it, a wiseman hardcase and also a Dubro Kit that I believe has everything needed to convert the valve system, I didnt have the know how to do it myself but someone with the right tool set should be able to fairly easily. Pm me for more info or pictures, greyhound shipping is best for me, thanks!