Martin 4v BBb

[gregsundt]

I am in the position of advising a local university on what to do with an old ('20s-30s) Martin BBb. This looks very much like the 3v tuba that went on EBay a month or so ago. The body is in very good condition, but the valve section is completely worn out. I can feel the leakage, the sound is fuzzy and intonation is highly suspect (don't know whether that is inherent in the horn or just a function of the leaks and dents.)

I mentioned Dan Schulz' and Oberloh's shop to the director, but I wonder whether they wouldn't be better off to sell it to an aficionado, take the $ and buy another St. Pete, Miraphone, etc. I can't remember now how much the other old Martin sold for, but I suspect they could get a few Gs for this one as-is. Your thoughts?

[iiipopes]

Agreed. I haven't "scrapped" my beloved Besson, but with all the leaks from deteriorating solder, it will need similar work. Instead of spending the money on it now, I spent the money on my 186 and everyone I have played with & for since have been eminently pleased with my decision.

After some other items have been dealt with, both musically and otherwise, I'll start with the leaks at the bottom bow ferrules and see what it needs from their. Yes, it's a piecemeal approach, but at this point my Besson is a piecemeal horn, as well. I just happen to like it.

[MartyNeilan]

I am sure Paul Scott and a few others will differ fromi the above posted opinions. Martin's of that vintage are some of the best crafted American horns. Of course, if you want to scrap it, I will gladly pay you for the weight in brass. Until you get a valve job, you can try using the thickest Hetman's oil and see if that helps. Even the best horn with very leaky valves will not play well. A valve job and removal of major dents will probably work wonders on this horn. If you don't want to fix it, you could try putting it on squeezebay or posting it in the for sale section here. Of course, I am sure your university would probably rather do neither. Whatever you do, just don't throw it out. Unless it is in the dumpster behind my apartment.

[UDELBR]

Shoot: lots o' folks looking for those big, classic American bows and bells for projects. How about offering 'em for sale here? You may be surprised what they might fetch.

(hint: post pictures!)

[EdFirth]

Are the valves on top or in the front ? What is the configuration of the bell , upright or front ,detatachable or one piece ? What is the finish and finally ,does it say Handcraft somewhere on the bell ? It's not the flavor of the month for school horns but ccould fetch a decent buck allowint the school to buy the aforementioned flavor . Ed

[bort]

I can't remember now how much the other old Martin sold for...

It went for $3,300 + shipping (another $300).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... &rd=1&rd=1

Your horn sounds pretty cool...got any pictures to post?

[gregsundt]

Thanks for the replies. As I mentioned, the school has not decided what they will do. I suspect they will get worst-case estimates on a complete restoration, then figure out if it fits their budget and best-use analysis. If it goes on the block, hopefully you will b the first to know.

[iiipopes]

I'm with Harold. Probably a better word than scrapped would have been, in the technical accounting sense, "depreciated out," in other words, "liquidated."

[Toobist]

I'll give them $5.00 more than whatever the scrappers offer... Plus shipping to Canada!

[Lee Stofer]

Looking at the photos of the E**y instrument, it is likely the Martin Medium BBb, not one of the Mammoth BBb basses. They do not command the price that the big boys do, and the fact that it is a leaky, 3-valve model makes it even less vaulable at this point.

Several years ago, I sold a restored 3-valve Martin Medium BBb, and it seemed that I had to practically give it away because people are so prejudiced against 3-valve tubas. The tuba was just slightly smaller overall than the new King 2341's, had a .689" bore, and played like a dream. This is all the tuba that most people would ever need.

If I were advising the school, and the instrument's only real problem was leaky valves, I'd recommend that the school have a play-condition restoration only done, getting the valves re-plated and fit, dent work, and cleaning/polishing. It would look good-enough, and would not suffer the metal loss that comes with buffing and refinishing. That would be the cheapest solution and render the most-playable instrument for the money.

[gregsundt]

Thanks for the reply, Lee. Although the wrap is rather tight, it still is very much a 5/4 size bell & body. BTW, this is a 4-valve; from what I can tell, the body is the same as the other one. I will pass your comments (and URL) along, although I would rather they get a worst-case scenario so they are more inclined to sell it to some middle-aged, used-to-be-pretty-good semi-pro player/teacher in the area...

[sloan]

Thanks for the reply, Lee. Although the wrap is rather tight, it still is very much a 5/4 size bell & body. BTW, this is a 4-valve; from what I can tell, the body is the same as the other one. I will pass your comments (and URL) along, although I would rather they get a worst-case scenario so they are more inclined to sell it to some middle-aged, used-to-be-pretty-good semi-pro player/teacher in the area...

and if the school board won't go for it, tell them to send it to me and I'll have Lee do it...for me.

[gregsundt]

Nice.

[MikeMason]

So, what inspired that beatles picture?You'd think it's be a top action tuba in england,maybe a rotory tuba,since their in europe.Maybe Fletch and his holton?Or just a random search through books of tuba pictures....

[MikeMason]

as someone who learned all he knows about music history from the liner notes of CB cassette tapes,