Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
- tylerferris1213
- 4 valves

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Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
I just recently bought the aforementioned tuba. When playing it, I noticed that the fifth valve did not lower the pitch by a flat whole step like I would expect it to. Instead, it raised the pitch from Bb to C. What was the purpose of installing a valve that raises the pitch of the horn? Also, is there a way to reverse the valve so that open is C and the fifth valve lowers the pitch a flat whole step? I would prefer it to play as a CC tuba.
Tyler Ferris
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
- Dan Schultz
- TubaTinker

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Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
Are you certain the rotor isn't linked backwards?
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
- pjv
- 4 valves

- Posts: 879
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2004 4:39 am
Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
Dillon's is selling a Getzen GB-50 right now. I mention it because in the description Matt says "Can be converted to a BBb tuba by changing the position of the rotor stop arm".
I believe this probably answers your question. I wouldn't be surprised if Getzen made it so that the player could change the stop-arm themself. This is pure speculation.
Good luck
I believe this probably answers your question. I wouldn't be surprised if Getzen made it so that the player could change the stop-arm themself. This is pure speculation.
Good luck
- tylerferris1213
- 4 valves

- Posts: 503
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:53 pm
- Location: NW Ohio
Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
Those are all good answers. How difficult would it be to switch it back to a CC? Is this something I should take to a professional? If so, are there any people who do great work in the NW Ohio region?
Tyler Ferris
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
- Lectron
- 4 valves

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Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
DP wrote:...and...WALA!
Where's an elephant when you need one......the elephant wrote: You mean voila? (Note, that is voila and not viola. I doubt that anyone has ever used voila and viola in the same thought, except to say, "Et voila! My viola, she burns so brightly!")
Melton 200 -=- Melton 2141 -=- Cerveny 883 Opera -=- Besson 992 -=- MPCs: 3pcs steel (Sellmansberger/Parker)
- ibr
- bugler

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Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
I've never seem a tuba with this configuration. Does it has a compensating system?
Modified King 1240: 4 pistons and fixed bell
- tylerferris1213
- 4 valves

- Posts: 503
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:53 pm
- Location: NW Ohio
Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
There is no compensation system. I did take off the stop arm and then proceeded to rotate the valve 90%. It is back into the key of CC now. Thanks everyone!
Tyler Ferris
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
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Bob Kolada
- 6 valves

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Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
How does the, apparently someday rare, Bb "CB-50" compare to the stock C and the C in Bb? Hell, anyone here ever play one?
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EdFirth
- 4 valves

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- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2004 7:03 am
Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
I kinda suspect that it is an original C that had the rotor moved to the Bb side. From what I know they didn't offer it in Bb.Ed
The Singing Whale
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srawleigh
- lurker

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Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
If any of you guys are interested in one, i am currently selling CB50 (check the for sale section). It's been a great 4/4 all around horn for me. I'm just in need of a larger CC right now and don't have enough money to afford keeping it around.
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Lee Stofer
- 4 valves

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- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:50 am
Re: Getzen CB-50 fifth valve questions
When I acquired the Getzen G-50 parts from Getzen this past Fall, I also acquired some other parts, and besides the tech/build sheets for the G-50, there are three additional pages or so, addenda for the G-52 BBb tuba. I had never heard of the G-52, and do not know how many BBb's were built, if any, but it would be possible to do so.
Lee A. Stofer, Jr.