A worthwhile project completed

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

No its not dyslexia.

I just thought some of the Tubenet folk would find this of some interest.



Early last year, I received a phone call from a gentleman who had tragically suffered a stroke that had left him minimal use of his right hand. I am sure many of us can imagine the impact this would have on our life and the ability to play our instruments. The caller was desperately searching for someone who could provide him with an instrument suitable for his playing needs. I suggested a few manufacturers, he informed me that he had already corresponded with them and they were ether unable or unwilling to provide what he desired. The repair shops he contacted were for the most part not very interested for a number of reasons I can completely understand. His need was for a left hand or reversed baritone horn. To be honest, I was not real interested in taking on the task myself with all the projects I had on my bench at the time but after discussing the matter and thinking how upset I would be if I were in the same boat, I agreed to consider the task and eventually accepted the challenge. The original instrument for the project that I received from the owner was one he got off eBay. It was an old King 2268 that had been beat to crap and really badly overhauled and then beat to crap again. Much of the instruments parts were junk that I quickly tossed into the scrap can.




The important part that was salvageable was the valve section which is probably the best one available for such a conversion. The ports were removed, the forth valve cut off and refit and brazed to the first valve. The porting of the first and third valves are so close that with a bit of skill and a little care the block was able to be completely reversed to a mirror image of its original configuration. There were a lot of small alterations along with a good deal of repair work to the casings, pistons and slide tubes but in the end it turned out pretty decent. You can't simply slap these together and it did require a lot of effort but in the end I felt the project to be really interesting and worth the time spent.


Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com" target="_blank" target="_blank"

[jamsav]

Good cause , good work....I want to stand next to you for awhile and benefit from the good karma coming your way....

[The Big Ben]

Would be fun to see the double takes this fellow is going to get when he shows up at band practice with this horn.

As always, it's beautiful and well engineered. Das is gud, Herr Oberloh!

[Art Hovey]

Your work is admirable, as always.

A few years ago there was a one-armed tuba player on Long Island; I can't remember his name, but he was playing an Eb tuba with three front-action pistons, which he managed by reaching around with his left (only) hand.

Last time I was out there he had a new St Pete in Eb, which someone had very cleverly modified for him. They just re-mounted the paddle mechanism turned around so he could work it from the left.

It was a much simpler solution to the same problem. Not as beautiful as yours, but it didn't look bad and probably was not as labor-intensive.

[Naptown Tuba]

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Dan)

[pgym]

Das is gud, Herr Oberloh!

Es ist in der Tat gut, aber Ihre Rechtschreibung ist scheußlich. .

[Rick Oakes]

I would say:

1) It is wonderful that you have been able to be a part of contributing to this gentleman's interest in music; and
2) Despite the societal disinterest with traditional music with melody/harmony the power of music is great, indeed!

-----Rick

[Chriss2760]

Good on ya, Dan. And a beautiful job, as always.

[Bob Kolada]

Awesome! I remember talking to a trombone teacher who said there was a student at the college he taught at who had just gotten a left handed Firebird due to a similar problem. They were still working out how he would use the 6th valve though...

Very cool of you Dan!

[bisontuba]

As usual, pristine workmanship and for a wonderful cause.
mark

[tbn.al]

Your post made my day. The workmanship is extraordinary, but the real delight is your attitude about doing this job. In this you have met at least one person's definition for a successful life.

...to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.


Ralph Waldo Emerson

[peter birch]

I, too am impressed. There must be quite a few musicians out there without a usable right hand for one reason or another (Afghanistan is one thing that springs to mind, RSI another as well as accidents and strokes etc).
In Europe we are required to make "reasonable adjustments" for our disabled citizens, and I sure that it is not unreasonable to ask musical instrument manufacturers to offer modified instruments to enable people to take part in music making.

[The Big Ben]

Your post made my day. The workmanship is extraordinary, but the real delight is your attitude about doing this job. In this you have met at least one person's definition for a successful life.

Ah, geez... Now you've done it. He's gonna be impossible to be around now.....

[Carroll]

Just thinking about how happy that old guy must be makes me smile. Thanks!

[TUbajohn20J]

Way cool Dan

[bearphonium]

Very nice work, very nice work; both the job and the mission.

[WC8KCY]

What a terrific job! Hats off!

I'm recovering from a stroke myself and can tell you firsthand that the study and performance of music has been tremendously helpful. There's a lot of "spillover" benefits from working out with a horn--the dexterity and physical control skills built up by performing on low brass also helps when performing life's other tasks, such as housework or operating an automobile. It is quite possible that the physical benefits to be derived from the modified horn will end up lengthening the player's life, as well as enriching it.

[bill]

I had occasion to visit Dan's shop, yesterday (picking up a horn he worked on, for me) and Dan asked me if I would like to see this Euphonium left hand conversion. He was about to wrap it up and send it to the owner. The work and the appearance were incredible - better even than the picture shows. The horn is just amazing. But he asked me if I would like to hold it. There is an aspect of the conversion that does not come across in the photograph; it is so ergonomically perfect it does not feel like there is anything different about the horn, even thought your left hand is over the valves and your right and is the auxiliary support. This is simply amazing! Highlight of my instrument year, so far!

[ger]

Still wondering why manufacturers are unable or unwilling to provide left hand tubas. 10-15 % of us are lefthanded and among male tubists it should be even more. Why are there left hand scissors and no left hand tuba's?

[catkins522]

I also had a stroke about 10-11 years ago. Should I convert right hand pistons into a left hand or do I need a side piston and ignore the pistons for good?

Charles Atkins