Advice on Reynolds Tuba BBb please

[sticky_valve]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and have found it very informative and interesting reading.

I am planning to go and see / play test a Reynolds BBb Detachable Bell Front Tuba, 3v and would like some advise on what to look for. I've had a brief discussion with the seller who has advised me it plays well, has the first valve trigger all slides pull valves free etc. But are there some other key things / faults to look and listen out for with this particular make.

Unfortunately I do not have the opportunity to see and play test many horns like this one for the simple fact they few and far between. I am in Australia, where there are not many US built horns, especially with recording bells. I have begun reherasing with a trad jazz group, I think this horn would definately look and hopefully sound the part.

I'm predominately a trom/euph player, however for the trad jazz gig I am using a clapped out Amati 221. Although the pistons are extremely noisey they have good compression but I just don't like the intonation and sound I'm getting from it.

Any Reynolds Tuba advice would be appreciated.

Thinking ahead any tips on the mouthpiece to use and how difficult it would be to locate and ship over to Aus a upright bell to fit would be great.

[caa62]

I borrowed one of these for a while, and found it to be quite in tune, especially for a 3 valve. I used a standard Helleberg, and it sounded fine. I tried a 24AW, but it wasn't as good.

My 2 cents...

[sticky_valve]

Hi all,

I'll be going to see and play test this horn in the next 5 hours, any last minute tips advice would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunatley I'm only limited to a 24AW mouthpiece for the paly test for the moment, I'm hoping the seller might have better mp to let me borrow for the play test. From what I can gather some the more recomended mp's for this type tuba lean toward helleberg 120S and Bach 18.

If only the 24AW for a play test, will it really impact on evaluating the horn at this point, funtionality. tone, leaks, faults, etc?

Thanks for the responses received so far.

[caa62]

If the 24AW is your regular mouthpiece, you should use it for the test. You'll be used to the feed back from it, and it will expose any major problems with the horn. When I borrowed this model, the Helleberg 120s was my regular mouthpiece, so it worked best for me. Good luck!

[J.c. Sherman]

Check that the leadpipe is original; many have them changed out after damage and often it wrecks their otherwise good playability.

[sticky_valve]

Thank you to all who contributed.

Just to give you an update I'm now a proud owner of the Reynolds Recording Tuba.

The horn surpassed my expectations and is an honest example in excellent condition which appears not to have had much use at all over its life time. I just could not pass her up!

Will chase up most likely a Helleberg mouthpiece and somehow a set of cases or gig bags.

Thanks again.

[Ken Herrick]

Good to hear you got something good.
Dan S. Or somebody might be able to confirm - if a King 1241BODY case would fit the Reynolds body, you could have mine cheap.
Anybody know???

[sticky_valve]

Thanks Ken,

It would be handy if your old King body case could fit.

Is anyone using a King case for Reynolds?

[J.c. Sherman]

The two-pieces cases won't fit... the Reynolds body is too tall for the case (tried it).

J.c.S.

[Ken Herrick]

Nope, not a fit.

[sticky_valve]

Ken and I exchanged dimensions and the King case is too small.

Not only is it too short, the width on the Reynolds is greater and the height of the middle valve section of the body also sits higher (when on it back) on Reynolds compared to what the King case could accomodate.

Thanks for your help.

If any one knows of or would ship cases that fit the Reynolds Recording Bell and Tuba Body down under please let me know.