My York Eb Tuba

[hbcrandy]

Dear Yorkaholic and others:

I finally found photos of my York, monster, Eb, Frankentuba. The big plumbing is from a J. W. York & Sons, three valved, front action, monster Eb tuba made in 1910 according to the serial number. Despite its age, the bell looks like the day it came out of the factory with no creases or dents. The original .658" bore York valve set and lead pipe were removed and saved, for historical purposes. A new .687" bore valve set was built from the valves and plumbing of 2 Buescher BBb fiberglass Sousaphones to make the 4 valve cluster. The Meinl Weston fifth rotary valve was installed past #4 valve with a thumb lever to operate it. The leadpipe is a larger taper then the original York leadpipe. The receiver accepts a standard American tuba shanked mouthpiece. The sound of this tuba is HUGE and the intonation is superb. I have used this instrument behind a 100 piece orchestra to play works such as the Rite of Spring, Symphony Fantastique and the Franck Symphony in D Minor to name a few.

Due to my current physical problems with playing, the tuba lives in my storage locker as you can see by the photos. I have no plans of selling it as of now.

[hbcrandy]

Sorry guys. Here are the pictures.

[Lectron]

Nice!

Is it just as charming out of tune with itselves as mine
(nothing not easily solved by lipping or alternative fingering BTW)

[Lew]

I wonder how many original York side action, 4-valve monster Ebs are still around? I had one a number of years ago, but haven't seen one since. Every other 4 valve York that I have seen since has been a Frankenhorn. Just wondering if anybody has one (other than perhaps Mike Lynch, who I assume has at least one ).

Here's the one I used to own:



And here it is next to my King 2341 for a size reference:

[Bob Kolada]

There was a guy in Michigan that also had a modded big York Eb, I think it had Conn valves.

[Mark E. Chachich]

I have an unmodified four valve York Monster E flat, but the valves are top action. I have known Randy for many years and played his E flat FrankenYork when the project was finished. These are my opinions of differences between my unmodified York and this particular modified York. Perhaps Randy will give his opinions, he knows my E flat well.

The most important similarities:
a.) The sound of both tubas is York through and through, this did not change with the modification. Good job!
b.) I only got good results on both tubas with a small mouthpiece (Bach 32E).

The differences as I see them:
a.) Randy's tuba has a bigger sound, still bass tuba but bigger than my unmodified York. Randy's tuba is a more versatile tuba and it can do everything that he said that it can.
b.) The fifth valve on Randy's tuba did not make the tuba stuffy and it sure makes getting around in the low range nicer.
c.) The larger valve set opened up the response, especially in the low range. My unmodified York is a bit tricky
to play in the low range because it is a bit stuffy.
d.) I remember the intonation on Randy's horn was excellent. My unmodified York takes a bit of work with
intonation (like Lectron said, not bad and worth the effort).

I see why people Frankentuba some of the Yorks and other old E flats. When the modifications are done well they are superb tubas that will continue being useful in modern ensembles. Bravo!

my best to all of the old E flat tuba (of any kind) fans,
Mark

[hbcrandy]

I fully agree with Mark's assessment of my tuba as compared to his. The most interesting, but true, comment is on the use of a smaller mouthpiece. I have tried to play my Eb tuba with a Conn 2 and a Bach 24 AW as well as Bach 25 mouthpiece. I had major intonation issues on my tuba using these mouthpieces. However, when I use a Conn 3 mouthpiece that is about the size of a contrabass trombone mouthpiece, the sound of the big York Eb centers EXTREMELY well and the intonation locks onto place. I find no compromise in the extreme low register with such a small mouthpiece. I have a York mouthpiece that was made for the Monster Eb tuba. It was quite small with a small shank to fit the old style Eb tuba mouthpiece receivers. So, I second Mark's mouthpiece observation.

[Lew]

Maybe it's just me, I find the same mouthpiece issue with ANY Eb I have owned or played. That includes both small, three valve versions, and "monster" 4 valves, compensating or not. For me to play my Besson 983 in tune I use a LM-15, which is a little smaller than a Wick 3. When I use any larger mouthpiece I can play the middle range open harmonics in tune, but intonation is all over the place for me everywhere else. I had the same issues on the York, a Distin and Keefer, a couple of Conns, and a M-W that I tried for a while. I just assumed it was my rank amateur status. I wonder if others have the same experience with newer larger Eb tubas. It seems to make sense that a smaller mouthpiece would be appropriate for a smaller tuba, but I hadn't heard this as a consistent rule.

[Tom Holtz]

The smaller mouthpiece has always been the way to go for me, and that's on any horn. Paraphrasing Alan Baer: "Use the smallest gear you can get away with." For the Eb's and F's especially, get the small mouthpiece in there. Small and shallow is your friend on the smaller tubas.

[Lectron]

Small and shallow makes it easier, no doubt about it

I have a 'heavy weight' small and shallow that added some weight to the lower
notes, still I do prefer the Bloke Symph. I've ordered a smaller bore shank thou
to try out if that might do the trick.

I have no intention of having a monster Eb sound like a smallish F
A smaller starting diameter leadpipe (closer to end taper of MP)
and a small venturi after MP made it far(!) less MP sensitive
and made response more even over the register.

I do however have a 'wonky' BBb below staff....That typical f tuba dreaded C phenomena