Finding the age of a Neptune

[arpthark]

Hey guys,

I recently bought an older Mel Culbertson Neptune (not stamped VMI, B&S or anything) that has the engraving of Neptune on the bell. The linkages are uniball and don't look too old. Does anyone know the approximate age range of this horn, or who I could contact to check the serial number for a date? I would say Mel Culbertson himself, but he just very recently passed. Maybe Bob Tucci?

I got this horn from Dr. Ed Owen at Arkansas State, who is seriously one of the nicest tuba players I've met. I can't say enough good about him.

Thanks! I can post pics if anyone wants to see.

[bloke]

LJV has seen/owned some of these and (I'm pretty sure) knows something about age-compared-to-what-appears-on-the-bell issues.

[tubamuphone]

I contacted B&S and they were able to look up the serial number and tell me that mine dates from 1999. I started by emailing:

info@b-and-s.com

Best of luck!


Jeff

[arpthark]

I e-mailed B&S. Let's see what they say. Thanks for your help!