The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

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davidgilbreath
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The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by davidgilbreath »

Joe posted about this horn (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=55520&p=473030&hili ... al#p473030) and I have been getting re-acquainted with it since returning from "Bloke-place".

Mindful of my verbose tendency, post is limited to salient points. Played the Wurlitzer/Conn in all five of my ensembles as well as in the house. It's 37" tall, 20" bell, and weighs 18 lbs.

1. It is FUN to play.
2. Distinctive Conn sound, which I like.
3. Definitely can support a full orchestra with 50-60 musicians.
4. Resonates really well in lower register.
5. Upper register (for my range) has pleasant, mellow sound.
6. Should have had new valve guides installed but budget was paramount.
7. Put in some Kanstul springs that are just a bit stiffer that the Conn ones Joe gave me and they're spot on.
8. Sounds great in my brass quintet especially when playing at moderate volume.
9. Got all slides moving nicely after Joe's great work, even that sticky first one.
10. Gave it thorough scrub with some water soluble de-greaser, then with some Simonize car wash (been using that for years on my horns as it rinses so well and attacks grease with a vengeance).
11. The best thing so far is that it so much lighter than the big Kanstul (which will come out for concerts and dress rehearsals until my physical condition can take wrestling with it).
12. Joe consistently under-promises and over-delivers.
13. Anderson's did fabulous job replating pistons based upon Joe's detailed measurements.

Thank you, Joe, for resurrecting it. Masterful job on your part and it is always a blast to see you, shoot the breeze, play horns, etc. Working with you is refreshing and if folks knew how well you "play with others" in person, it might damage your reputation on TubeNet :wink: .

Btw, you married well.
". . . and madly he played . . . "
David Gilbreath
1925 Conn New Wonder Monster Front Action BBb
c. 1938 York 716 BBb 4v

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bort
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by bort »

Pictures!!
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by davidgilbreath »

bort wrote:Pictures!!
Image

The before pic is the only one I have at the moment. Will squeeze off a couple at church tomorrow.
Last edited by davidgilbreath on Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
". . . and madly he played . . . "
David Gilbreath
1925 Conn New Wonder Monster Front Action BBb
c. 1938 York 716 BBb 4v

mariettapopsorchestra.org
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davidgilbreath
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by davidgilbreath »

Pics of Joes Work and Anderson's replating. In the middle photo, my Wurlitzer is next to a King 1140. Pictures not as sharp as I would like.
ImageImageImageImageImageImage
". . . and madly he played . . . "
David Gilbreath
1925 Conn New Wonder Monster Front Action BBb
c. 1938 York 716 BBb 4v

mariettapopsorchestra.org
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by Untersatz »

davidgilbreath wrote:Pictures not as sharp as I would like.
You've got to be joking posting an image 120x150 :shock:
Why do people even bother with images this small???
You can't even see them (without using a microscope) :shock:
King 2341 (New Style)
B&S PT-600 (GR55) BBb
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by Untersatz »

KiltieTuba wrote:You didn't use the zoom function on your browser? :roll:
Yeah right Ian...........what do you get when you zoom in on an image that's 120x150???
Photo09221002_zps211c45af.jpg
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
King 2341 (New Style)
B&S PT-600 (GR55) BBb
Blokepiece "Symphony"
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by Untersatz »

bloke wrote:Hey...

At least it doesn't show my crappy dent-removal work. :oops:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
King 2341 (New Style)
B&S PT-600 (GR55) BBb
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by davidgilbreath »

Image

Until I can get some more pics, this will have to suffice.
". . . and madly he played . . . "
David Gilbreath
1925 Conn New Wonder Monster Front Action BBb
c. 1938 York 716 BBb 4v

mariettapopsorchestra.org
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by Frank Ortega »

Yes, this is identical to my American Superior/Pan Am/Conn.
I've seen the same model marked Wurlitzer and Carl Fisher as well.
Probably one of the most stenciled instruments of it's time.
They make a great sound but suffer from a flat 3rd partial.

Martin Wilk is restoring one for me now with four front action York valves.
That's right, it'll be a .750 bore. He has also found a way to get that F a little sharper through
some retapering. Can't wait to try it out. Once it's done, one of my BBbs will have to go though,
so be on the look out for either this Conn or an equally awesome Martin to be on the market soon.

The Pan Am Superior is still up for grabs if someone wants to pay $600 + S&H for it too!
Frank Ortega
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by jeopardymaster »

I play-tested David's horn before he bought it, and as I recall, 3rd partial was fine, 5th was a tad flat and 6th was a tad sharp. In other words, pretty much normal for any BBb tuba of this age, and well within acceptable ranges - at least to my taste. The response is what got me. Absolutely stellar.
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.
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Re: The Wizard of Williston and a "mythical" BBb tuba

Post by davidgilbreath »

Better pictures at following link: http://s169.photobucket.com/user/davidg ... /Wurlitzer" target="_blank"
". . . and madly he played . . . "
David Gilbreath
1925 Conn New Wonder Monster Front Action BBb
c. 1938 York 716 BBb 4v

mariettapopsorchestra.org
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