Papa, Mama, & Baby Helicons

[OldHorn]

This little family of helicons was heard & seen in a Moravian Band in Old Salem (NC) today. Conn Eb bass, Mahillon Eb bass, and an anonymous Bb tenor. A couple of stepchildren (tubas) were there too, but they didn't make this family portrait.

[Bob Kolada]

Very cool!

[ralphbsz]

an anonymous Bb tenor.

That's sort of like an Euphonium, unfolded and then rolled up, right? Looks like an euphonium mouthpiece and tubing size to my untrained eye.

[imperialbari]

The tenor helicon looks very similar to the Indian made ones found on eBay.

How did it play?

Is a normal head position with no vertical or horizontal off-sets possible?

How are the right hand ergonomics?

How do the valves work in respect of free movability combined with a reasonable compression?

Klaus

[OldHorn]

The Mahillon and Tenor do not have bell braces. The tenor has an angled mouthpiece bit but no adjustments on the leadpipe. For some "before" pictures of the tenor. see my old Tubenet posts, "Soldering German Silver", and German Silver Tenor Helicon". The valves on the little tenor work well now, and it has the usual quirky note or two.