Hawkes Cavalry Tuba

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:39 am

Just purchased a 1912 Hawkes Emperor 4v non compensating Cavalry style E flat tuba in reasonable condition.

Needs a good clean but has nice tight valves. A few dents to remove and a part missing 4th. valve slide to be made up.

It blows beautifully, so easy and in tune with a great clear bottom register.

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... mpire1.jpg

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... mpire2.jpg

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... mpire3.jpg

CB

Navytubaman · Post by **Navytubaman** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:35 am

Very Nice,

I love vintage instruments, yours look like it will a fun project to complete. Good Luck.

The Big Ben · Post by **The Big Ben** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 2:17 pm

Nice looking horn!

What is that 6' tall tuba in your photobook? That's a real mutha!

Jeff "Size *does* matter" Benedict

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:21 pm

The Big Ben wrote:What is that 6' tall tuba in your photobook? That's a real mutha!

Only works if you're left-handed, though

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:05 pm

???????????

CB

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:07 pm

Jeff,

indeed, it's large for an E flat tuba of that era. I thought it was a B flat at first. Has a great open sound with that large bottom bow section.

CB

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:51 pm

Highams wrote:???????????

I thought he was referring to the Besson sign tuba.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:29 pm

I think it's Cliff Bevan that included a picture of a Boosey cavalry tuba from around the turn of the last century. It had a similar configuration. I wonder how early these were made in Britain. Maybe that's the source of the front-action piston design. I was prepared to show a picture of that to anyone claiming my Yamaha 621 didn't have a vintage look when I was playing in the Heritage Brass.

Rick "impressed" Denney

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:59 am

Hi Rick,

Yes, I believe this to be quite a late model actually. I've heard they were around long before the turn of that century.

CB

humphrey · Post by **humphrey** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:14 am

Charlie

I play a Boosey & co cavalry (comp) EEb of a similar vintage (1919).

This tuba also has a wonderfully free blowing character. At some time the original bell has been replaced with a 19" Imperial style bell. Only the third valve is original but as the tubing layout is practically identical to later B & H models I'd imagine this was no big problem for the owner at that time.

I've put some pictures online here in the "my hobbies album:

http://russell-kennedy.magix.net/userwe ... FFAC8D6315

Pictures 6-9 are the relevent ones, the others are of my old Lidl helicon, Besson BBb and my "theatre gigging" besson New Standard (1937 15" bell)

Hopefully I'll be getting the bell de-dented in the next few weeks & I'll be talking to my repair tech about "chopping" it to pitch as I find it plays a little flat (probably as a result of the bell replacement).

I hope your Hawkes gives you as much pleasure as my old Boosey!

Cheers

Russ

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:58 am

Hi Russ,

Many thanks for that. I imagine that bigger bell really does something for it!

I won't be changing anything initially on this one, even before a chem clean and even a wash, it blew so clear and was full in the lower register.

I'll be doing a solo or two on it in forth coming recitals once it ready and post them for you to listen too.

Chas

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:46 pm

Congratulations Chas on your new purchase. I look forward to seeing and hearing when I get along to one of your recitals!

Jonathan

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:26 pm

The 1912 Hawkes 4v E flat Cavalry tuba got its first real polish today, not too bad;

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... vtuba3.jpg

CB

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:16 pm

That looks good Charley. I look forward to see it some day when we can meet up.

Jonathan

oldbandnerd · Post by **oldbandnerd** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:15 pm

Was this polish your handy work Charley ? It looks terrific !!

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:29 am

Yes indeed Tommy, once I had started it, had to finish. It really needs one more attempt to get it spot on, but I'm pleased so far.

Jonathan, I'm playing it in the August recital next (4th.)

Chas