Melton 198

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:54 pm

Anyone have any pics or information on this monster? Anyone play one?

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:46 pm

I think it is the 5 valve version of the 197 Hilgers Model one of their Kaiser tubas. I am curiosu to see the position of the 5th valve. I heard it was a quint valve.

Michael Woods · Post by **Michael Woods** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:47 pm

the fafner is 195.

cjk · Post by **cjk** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:57 pm

ZNC Dandy wrote:I think it is the 5 valve version of the 197 Hilgers Model one of their Kaiser tubas. I am curiosu to see the position of the 5th valve. I heard it was a quint valve.

I've never seen it nor played one, however:

www.meinl-weston.com wrote:197:
Model Walter Hilgers
5/4 size
4 rotary valves
Bore: .846in
Bell diameter: 18.1in

198: same, with 5 rotary valves, 5th valve in 4th valve slide

A dependent quint valve inside the fourth valve tubing would be essentially useless IMHO.
A dependent flat half step inside the fourth valve tubing would be useful, but the instrument would still lack a completely chromatic scale.
A dependent flat whole step inside the fourth valve tubing would effectively make a quint with both depressed so I think that's the most likely configuration. It would also have a chromatic scale between 1st and second partials.

I too would be curious to see a picture of this setup.