King Rotary valve Symphony Model Orchestra Bass

[Mike-ICR]

What do you know about the King Rotary valve Symphony Model Orchestra Bass. I found this (http://www.hnwhite.com/King/Low%20Brass ... 0Large.jpg" target="_blank) on the H. N. White site and wondered if any of you might have ever heard one, played one etc.

They were only made from 1934-1940 so they couldn't have been very popular and they probably stopped making them because of that or the expense involved.

What happened to these really cool horns?

[tubatom91]

If I remember correctly these were made specifically for the space limitations of a pit orchestra. The forward facing, tall design allowed it to be narrow and project over the heads of the orchestra and out of the pit. I always liked how these looked and found them to be quite interesting. If I played in a pit I would consider finding one. I have never heard nor played one. But I would love to be able to someday. I think I saw one either on this site or on ebay that was for sale at a fairly resonable price. Fun looking horns. Reminds me of a Cimbasso that's wrapped different.

[The Big Ben]

Someone here has or had one.

They were also called a 'pit bass' because the bell would stick up out of an orchestra pit and be heard. The standing position was designed for string bass players doubling on air bass. Reason being, a string bass player could play string bass when needed and then move over to the air bass when needed without getting up or sitting down..

[Mike-ICR]

Thanks to the alternate names given I've managed to find this other site. Some great horns including 3 Pit basses.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~marge/king_2340_b ... .htm#older" target="_blank

[Lew]

Phil Holcomb outbid me for one a these a couple of years ago. He has it pictured on his site here:
http://www.rugs-n-relics.com/Brass/tuba ... -Tuba.html" target="_blank

You could ask him how it plays.

[Mikelynch]

The King pit tubas typically play very well--free blowing, good pitch, etc. In general they are probably the best in tune of the rotary Kings overall, whether the .750 or .687 bore pit BBb. Although, all of the .750 bore King BBb's I have experimented with tend to be best in tune with the recording bell on them--though they are pretty acceptable to excellent, even with the upright bell. The .750 CC's, however, generally present some pitch issues to deal with.

One quirk with the pit tuba is that for some reason, placing a King upright bell on one in BBb does not maintain the pitch in BBb as might be expected from experience with "conventional" configuration King tubas. It does, however, yield a very odd looking. sort of flat BB tuba . . .

I long ago knew of a King CC pit tuba (albeit unmarked, and un-lacquered) owned by some school in Texas. In the late 60's the school apparently typically gave that to its best tuba player. I used to see it once a year at TX solo and ensemble contest. I asked the TNFJ about this horn long ago--but if anyone knows the school or what became of the horn (or knows of a school with some funny looking tall tuba with long spatulas on it sitting in the instrument room--please let me know!!