Another triumph for junk tubas!

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:00 pm

Some years ago I picked up an "American Climax" Eb tuba in a junk store. Some valves were missing, but the bell and bugle were in good shape. I grafted another valve set from another junk horn onto it just becaused I happened to have the parts. Art Baron, a fine trombonist who worked with my jazz band occasionally, expressed interest in it, so I swapped it to him in exchange for a playable baritone horn. He used it for a while with banjo bands at the Yankee stadium, carrying it on the subway in a "gig bag by Hefty". A couple of days ago he called to say that he had just used it in the horn section on Bruce Springsteen's latest recording, and will be going on tour with the Boss soon!
I just read on Ebay that "American Climax" was the name stamped on some instruments imported by Lyon & Healy.
-Anbody know any more about that name?

Bill Troiano · Post by **Bill Troiano** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:21 pm

I dunno, Art! It sounds like the kind of instrument that, when the gig is over, you fall asleep!

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 1:19 pm

As with bloke's recent "make the horns work for public school" thread, I love stories like this!

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:56 pm

Bill Troiano wrote:I dunno, Art! It sounds like the kind of instrument that, when the gig is over, you fall asleep!

-That's what Mr. Baron liked about it!

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:00 pm

American Climax? What is this again?

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:39 pm

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:58 am

I am not that young.. I remember the Climax Blues Band...

Bill Troiano · Post by **Bill Troiano** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:37 am

At least it wasn't American Standard. I wouldn't put my mouth on one of those!