Alexander 163 CC tuba

[gregsundt]

I am told that the bottom bows were wider on the post-war issues because "the tree grew". I cannot verify it. Good legend, though.

[TheBerlinerTuba]

I own an Alex CC 163 made in 2002. I've taken measurements of other older Alex CCs I've come across and all of the older ones had different dimensions even compared to each other so perhaps this is not a fair comparison. For the record, my leadpipe has almost no taper although it does take a modern mouthpiece. My bore is about .820 at the valves, although you can order them in a range of bore sizes. Perhaps the 163 CC was cut from a 163 BBb, but most of the Alex BBbs I've tried are as quirky with pitch as the older 163 CCs. The taper for all of the bows on the new horn are slightly different and the bell is generally wider. I originally knew nothing about this brand...I only bought it because it played better than other horns I tried. I've played it next to miraphone 188's and various rudys and pt6 rotaries etc and it sounds nothing like any of them. It has more mass and a purer sound in the lower register, esp compared to the miraphone...althought the miraphone valves are much faster than the meinl schmidt made alex valves. The pitch on mine is excellent...it's not out of tune, but rather has very very wide slots...if you're unsure of the exact pitch you want, it'll be out of tune, either flat or sharp. If you are ever in Berlin, you are welcome to try mine.
cheers
2165

[Mark E. Chachich]

Along with Wade's (who playes one of these beasts in a professional orchestra) and the other excellent comments, one more. I have seen more then a few Alexander 163 tubas. Every one of them have the tubing bent slightly differently. Is this year to year or just how they did it that day, I do not know.

FYI, if you are really interested in an Alexander, Baltimore Brass has an excellent Alexander 163 CC (6 valves!) for sale. I have played it
on three visits and find it to be an excellent tuba (in my opinion).
Also, Baltimore Brass is a first rate business.

I have played an Alexander for over 30 years and have tried
many others. PM if you want more of my opinions about
Alexander tubas. My Alexander is 1975 vintage.

good luck,
Mark

[Ted Cox]

I have played and will continue to play my 1964 solid nickel-silver 5 valve 163 Alex in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. I paid $2,000 for it 15 years ago and sold the horn I was playing for $3,200 to buy it. My very first tuba teacher, Harold Strand owned an Alex which he played on in the Phoenix Symphony for 25 years before Dave Pack. Perhaps that is where the seed was planted.
For me, it's all about the color of sound. I finally heard the recording of Mahler 5 we did last April and my sound comes through loud and clear. I don't need a larger tuba for the orchestra I play in or the hall I play in. It seems to be a great fit.
Dave Kirk summed it up very well, "playing an Alex will teach you how to play a tuba." They do require some work and commitment, but the rewards are well worth it. They certainly aren't for everyone. I don't want to sound like anyone but me and my Alex allows me to make the color of sound that is in my soul.
I don't think you have to spend $30,000 on the latest, greatest tuba to sound great. If you have the resources, great. I never did. I bought what I could afford and put my energy into being the best musician I could be and hopefully contributing in a positive way for my fellow musicians in my orchestra.