my old Orsi tuba

[Bill Troiano]

Just thought some of you would be interested in seeing this tuba that I've had since 1972. I picked it up at a music shop in a suburb of Rochester, NY. I remember just walking in and asking if they had any CC tubas. The repairman came out with this tuba, which was in 2 pieces as you can imagine from the bell solder job. It was also black. I was able to play it right there without the bell. Although it didn't sound very good, I talked the man into selling it to me for $150.00. He soldered the bell on and cleaned finish so it shone of bare brass. At one point, I had the valves worked on here on LI. The leadpipe is patched also. It never played well enough to use for any serious playing, but it did make several NYC Tubachristmas appearences back in the 80's. For the past 10 years, it just sits on its bell in the corner of my living room. It was a planter at some point too.

I don't think my camera does macro, so you can't see the inscription on the bell. It is difficult to read, but from what I can make out, it says:

Maino Orsi
del
Romeo Orsi

Milan

presented to
Prof. Vincenzo Spadeo

New York

[circusboy]

Horn dorn for those whose tastes run to the "mature."

Thanks, Bill!

[windshieldbug]

Prof. Romeo Orsi was originally established as Maino and Orsi in 1880. After Maino's death in 1902, Orsi became the proprietor. After Orsi's death in 1918, the company name was changed to Prof. Romeo Orsi.


Prof. Romeo Orsi


I have a Paolo Rondoni, Verona Eb that was built with that same 4th valve "loop"...