Missing tuba has been found-customized Olds 4-valve BBb

[Paul Scott]

Hello All,
One of my loaner tubas has gone missing, (student has disappeared, will not respond to numerous emails, texts, voice mails, etc.). I will not go so far as to say "stolen" at this point, but I have no idea where the horn is.

It is a rather distinctly modified Olds 4-valve BBb with nickel-silver lead pipe, some reinforcements on the bell (see photo) and custom bracing. It also has some custom gold-tinted white valve button pearls (not shown in the photo).

If anyone sees this instrument out there please contact me.

[Paul Scott]

The instrument was returned to me at last, safe and sound.

[Dan Schultz]

That's good news.

[imperialbari]

Good that it came back!

Were the bell reinforcements part of a wreck rescue, or were they added for sound improvement?

Klaus

[Paul Scott]

The bell had been rather badly dented, (crushed might be a better word) and was brought back to life by Martin Wilk. Martin felt that the reinforcements would offer some additional protection. That said, I think that they do offer some sonic benefits as well, (the sound is a little "tighter" and doesn't break up as much at higher dynamic levels).

I suspect that a bigger bell with more taper could improve the horn a great deal, but I'm not sure that it could be done without also changing the bottom bow. It's not a bad little horn as it is.

[Paul Scott]

I'm thankful that the tuba was returned in perfect condition, along with it's gig bag, mouthpiece, etc. Good things still happen!

I should also add that the position of the water-key on the main slide was corrected shortly after the photo was taken. Not sure how that was turned around in the first place but Martin Wilk corrected it.

[imperialbari]

I suspect that a bigger bell with more taper could improve the horn a great deal, but I'm not sure that it could be done without also changing the bottom bow. It's not a bad little horn as it is.

Sadley Harvey isn’t among us any longer. I have one of his rescues: cornet + tenor trombone joined into a well playing soprano trombone.

Another rescue of his joined the body and stack of an American 3/4 BBb tuba with the flare from a sousaphone. I would have liked to try that one.

Klaus

[Tubajug]

Fantastic! I don't know why, but I thought of this thread the other day and was wondering whatever became of this horn, so that's great to hear!

[Happyhungarian]

Glad it was found/ returned. Relief!