Alexander Ferules - 2 varieties?

[Ben]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater" target="_blank" target="_blank

(attachments seem to be broken currently!)

I have noticed a few pics of Alexander tubas on this forum that demonstrate two distinct ferule designs. Are there different levels of finish during certain years, or did they move from one style to another at some point in time?

I have attached a pic of my Alexs - the 163 is marked 10-4-57 on the brace, it has been ID'd by Alexander as a late 50's horn of the spanish army variety, and the story goes on from there and has been confirmed by other sources... My 164 was JC Sherman's old horn and it is much older.

I have a picture of Wade Rackley's Alex side by side with mine. They have different ferules and are very close in age. (mine @ '57 his was '58). mine looks similar to the current style, his 58 horn looks like the elder style of my 164... so I am very confused.

Other examples from Tubenet:


viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34561&hilit=Alexander" target="_blank" target="_blank 2007 163 - same style as my 163
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=42373&p=368896&hili ... er#p368896" target="_blank" target="_blank 155 GDR era - same as my 163 and 155
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=42373&p=368896&hili ... er#p368896" target="_blank" target="_blank 50’s 163 - blurry but looks like my 164's style
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=39753&p=350317&hili ... er#p350317" target="_blank" target="_blank 1957 163 - again looks like my 164's ferule style...

[MackBrass]

They did change styles, not sure as to what point though. I have owned Alexanders from the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's and I can tell you that the F tuba pictured is a newer design and it looks just like the one I sold to Craig Knox back when we were in college. I bought mine brand new from Giardinelli in 1988.

The BBb is an early one as mentioned, they used the same desing well into the 60's and even early 70's. One thing I can say is that Alexander did not change a whole lot from the 50's through the late 80's and they all sound unreal.

Tom

[MackBrass]

Where did you get the Alex 3/4 CC?? If you got that from BBC a few years ago, that was my old horn.

[TexTuba]

Here's another one to add to the mix. If anyone would have an idea how old it is, let me know. I'd appreciate it.

[TexTuba]

No bell garland... Old old? (this is an F tuba right?)

Yes, it is.

[Ben]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater" target="_blank

Here is the link to the photo of the 58 (on left) vs my 57 163...

[Tom]

My 163 dates to 1983 (confirmed by Alexander).

The ferules on my tuba are the same as the ones on the 2007 Alex 163 that you linked to.

Quite similar to what MW was using in the late-90s to early 2000s (maybe they still are, I don't do much tuba trying/shopping these days).