4 Valve Eb Sousa

[TheHatTuba]

Was it Bill Bell who had the 4 valve eb king Sousa.

[Dean E]

Last time I saw it, it was bolted to the wall at Ruby Tuesday in Effingham, Illinois.

[Walter Webb]

Don't know why you ask, but I have a 4v Eb sousa-turned-helicon from about 1943, with an Olds CC bell grafted on. It is one sweet player. I am looking forward to Tuba Christmases future, and Mardi Gras parades. Where would Mr. Bell have played such a creature?

[arpthark]

According to the liner notes of "Bill Bell and his Tuba," one of Bill Bell's favorite horns was his four-valve King Eb sousaphone, and the majority of the album was actually recorded on that instrument.

[Bob Kolada]

How do the low D's sound on that album?

[Alex C]

Everything sounded pretty darn good (including the low D's). Especially the death defying leap for the high E flat.

[arpthark]

How do the low D's sound on that album?

Everything that he plays sounds pretty much spot-on, especially in the low register. Intonation is good. Nothing jumps out as sounding wonky or out-of-place. He can seriously make the horn dance.

Despite some people saying this album is hokey, I really enjoy it, in spite of (because of?) its hokeyness. It's fun to listen to, it's a piece of history, and the man sounds great (both on tuba AND when he sings); he was truly a giant of the craft.

Also, the track with Bell, Arnold Jacobs and Harvey Phillips playing Moto Perpetuo in unison (until the last chord) sounds friggin' incredible.

[Bob Kolada]

Cool! FWIW, I'm referring to the "old Eb syndrome" thing; one that I know all too well....

[bill]

I would not reply to this thread except I think I have a little special knowledge about the "Bill Bell Eb Tuba."

The person teaching most of what I know about tub aplaying that is good, was a man named George Black (nee Schwartz). He was a collegue of Bell and they had a close relationship professionally. The Eb tuba you are talking about was a joint ownership instrument. George told me it was kept in a locker at Grand Central Station so each of them could get it when needed. The ITEA web site has a couple of pictures of Bill Bell and George playing the rodeo at Madison Square Garden. I believe Bell is playing this tuba. Both men are mounted. When George left New York, he left the horn to Bell's use. I don't know what happened to it but the suggestion posted here is probably as good as any. I will try to attach another picture from that Rodeo appearance. Bell is on the left in this picture and, yes, both guys were pretty tall.

bellblackrodeo1940s.jpg