Dr. Fred Marzan's Tubas

[Dan Schultz]

Thanks to Bill Wheeler at Buddy Rodgers music and Gregg Stauffer, I've put a few pictures of Dr. Fred Marzan's solid copper Sander CC on my Marzan web page here:

http://thevillagetinker.com/Marzan%20Horns.htm

[The Big Ben]

Great looking page!

I had never heard of an all-copper tuba (I haven't heard of a lot of things....) I've seen copper flugelhorns and cornets with copper bells. The descriptions said the sound was 'darker'. What was the benefit or perceived benefit of an all copper tuba (besides beauty)? What a wonderful looking horn!

Jeff.

[tbn.al]

I just won this tuba and expect to pick it up this week from Buddy Rogers.

Whoo-hoo!

Robert

Are you getting ready to move to the other side of the section?

[iiipopes]

Several of his instruments and mouthpieces, including the all copper one, are being "estate liquidated" on eBay right now.

[jeopardymaster]

Robert, I know this horn well and watched the transaction with some interest. Since I already I have a 983 and a wife concerned for my sanity, I didn't bid. You, sir, are in for a treat!

[bort]

I figure it'll be easier to just appear at home after NABBA with another tuba (magically), and then explain it to him.

Haha, that's great. Good luck.

[Navytubaman]

Dan,

Thanks for the great pictures.

My father was a tubist and studied with Dr. Marzan at Morehead in the late 50's.

When the Copper horn popped up I called him and asked if he knew of it and sent him the link.

He said it was great to see that horn again, it was always sitting in the office, kind of a big novelty item but that Dr. Marzan would get it out and play it sometimes during lessons and stuff.

He said that he remembered the story that Dr. Marzan bought the horn from a guy in a traveling polka band out of Pittsburgh or something like that.

Anyway, I thought I'd add my story along. It was great to bring back a memory like that for my dad from 50 years ago.

JKD

[AndyL]

My present BBb King 2341 reminds me of the Marzan a bit. I think if the 2341 came as a CC it would be similar to my old Marzan.

Isn't that essentially what the 5xJ Conn CC's are?

[AndyL]

My present BBb King 2341 reminds me of the Marzan a bit. I think if the 2341 came as a CC it would be similar to my old Marzan.

Isn't that essentially what the 5xJ Conn CC's are?

[jeopardymaster]

I just checked it out, an hour ago. It does remind me of a King a bit, in terms of feel and heft, for lack of a better word. I played it on a Wick 3L and a Kellyberg. Surprisingly bright sound. I hadn't expected that. Low G and F and thereabouts were very free and open. Overtone series generally very good, but the 4th space g was rather sharp. The problem really jumped out when I played the famous Mahler 1 passage - the distance between e and f was noticeably w i d e - whether e was played open or 12. Marked sharpness of 6th partial is the biggest downside, IMO.

Generally the notes in bass clef staff were a little bit harder to grip than I am accustomed to. High range was very bright, even brilliant, with good intonation. In upper register it feels almost like a fine Eb. That to me is the best feature of the horn - it is very free-blowing both high and low. To a degree I would have to call extremely rare.

Valves are still original linkage with string action and need some attention - they are a bit gummy - but nothing major. The finish of the body has some minor scratches, but no dents I noticed. The bell was refinished - color is different and no scratches apparent. 4th valve tube was lengthened from 2 to 2 1/2 whole steps using brass. Original copper 4V tube was in the case.

It is clear to me the horn is solid copper, not just plated. The trim appeared to me to be what one would expect for a Sander, and in really good shape.

I didn't try or look at the recording bell.

This is the 3rd Sander I have ever tried, and definitely the smallest of the 3 - the others being Sam Green's primary (5 valve) instrument and his backup - the one that went through Dave Borzvold and Dave Freedy some years back. It is in the best shape of the 3. Intonation is better than Sam's backup, maybe not quite as good as his primary horn. I would not consider it a good candidate for orchestra work any heavier than, say, Verdi, but very good for solo and quintet.

And it is a beauty to look at.

[LoyalTubist]

Miraphone makes what they call an "ergonomic" tuba.

The American model number is 289-4U BBb.