For Alex fans

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Heavy_Metal
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For Alex fans

Post by Heavy_Metal »

Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
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bigtubby
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by bigtubby »

Speaking of clock springs S linkages and the like ...

Was just looking at that too. Looks like a sweet horn from the one photo. Out of my price range but what a beauty!
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Italian motorcycles and cars ...
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jeopardymaster
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by jeopardymaster »

I'm surprised to see an Alex of this vintage with such nice looking lacquer on it. Just about every one I've ever touched was bare brass. Maybe just a lack of experience on my part. Is that original condition, or (as I suspect) something added in restoration?
Gnagey CC, VMI Neptune 4098 CC, Mirafone 184-5U CC and 56 Bb, Besson 983 EEb and euphonium, King marching baritone, Alexander 163 BBb, Conn 71H/112H bass trombone, Olds Recording tenor trombone.
jeopardymaster
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by jeopardymaster »

Missed that - and not accusin' nobody of nuthin' - thanks.
Gnagey CC, VMI Neptune 4098 CC, Mirafone 184-5U CC and 56 Bb, Besson 983 EEb and euphonium, King marching baritone, Alexander 163 BBb, Conn 71H/112H bass trombone, Olds Recording tenor trombone.
jeopardymaster
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by jeopardymaster »

Nope - just didn't read carefully enough. As a former owner of a 163 CC and a current owner of a 163 BBb I can testify that, from my knothole, the BBb is easier to play in tune, but has the same great sound.
Gnagey CC, VMI Neptune 4098 CC, Mirafone 184-5U CC and 56 Bb, Besson 983 EEb and euphonium, King marching baritone, Alexander 163 BBb, Conn 71H/112H bass trombone, Olds Recording tenor trombone.
Heavy_Metal
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by Heavy_Metal »

Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
Heavy_Metal
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1733
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

Re: For Alex fans

Post by Heavy_Metal »

Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
Heavy_Metal
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5 valves
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

Re: For Alex fans

Post by Heavy_Metal »

And here's a different one that looks newer- doesn't have clocksprings:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEXANDER-4-4-B ... 5af52d17b0" target="_blank
Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
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Alex C
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by Alex C »

jeopardymaster wrote:I'm surprised to see an Alex of this vintage with such nice looking lacquer on it. Just about every one I've ever touched was bare brass. Maybe just a lack of experience on my part. Is that original condition, or (as I suspect) something added in restoration?
The import custom was lower on an unlacquered instrument than a lacquered instrument during the early days (MiraFone in California, Custom Music importing Alexander's). I understand that Mirafones were received in buffed, raw brass and lacquered in California. My guess is that the factory asked Herr Gross if he wanted it lacquered since he was apparently a German resident.
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bigtubby
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Re: For Alex fans

Post by bigtubby »

Heavy_Metal wrote:And here's a different one that looks newer- doesn't have clocksprings:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEXANDER-4-4-B ... 5af52d17b0" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Anyone not in a position to play test one this should be careful ... just sayin'
American sailboats, airplanes, banjos, guitars and flutes ...
Italian motorcycles and cars ...
German cameras and tubas ...
Life is Good.
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