advice on buying a York tuba

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aaronz28
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advice on buying a York tuba

Post by aaronz28 »

Hi gang - new member hear - although i might have been registered many many years ago.

I used to play a HB-21 in College but decided that Tuba performance wasn't going to pay my bills, so i took a slight career turn, sold my Hirsbrunner, and have been happily working in music ever since.

anyhow - i've been getting the itch to play again, and really want to buy a vintage horn - specifically a York.

In researching this, i've learned that some of the horns cut to CC are problematic - i guess original CC 44 yorks are pretty rare?

BTW - i'm only interested in original GrandRapids Yorks - not the later stuff -

any known available horns? I am considering the Rusk Cut from Baltimore Brass, as well as another Dillon Cut in NYC - both of which are conversions using King valves, so its not really clear just how much is original York.

any advice? available horns? etc.
Thanks

Aaron
akaleniecki@gmail.com" target="_blank" target="_blank
Mark E. Chachich
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Re: advice on buying a York tuba

Post by Mark E. Chachich »

Check this thread about the CC York at Baltimore Brass:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57639" target="_blank" target="_blank

Contact Randy Harrison (he responded to the above thread) and ask your questions, it was his tuba for years. The people at Baltimore Brass can also answer your questions. This one is an excellent tuba (my opinion).

As far as some models of the York (the tuba at Baltimore Brass) , it is my opinion that this model is better after being cut to CC.

good luck,
Mark
Mark E. Chachich, Ph.D.
Principal Tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Life Member, Musicians' Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, A.F.M., Local 40-543
Life Member, ITEA
Tom Coffey
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Re: advice on buying a York tuba

Post by Tom Coffey »

Whenever I try out a horn, I take a Korg 20 tuner with me. It is the size of a credit card, easy to find, and cheap. It helps identify intonation issues accurately, and counteracts the "rush" of trying out a promising horn. This applies to Yorks and all other horns.
Almost all "issues" with cut horns (also factory original horns) relate to intonation. If you like the horn but hate a note or two, maybe an alternate fingering (1 and 2 for third space e, or 1 and 3 for bottom line g) will fix it. Point is, if you know what you are buying and what it takes to fix it, it will minimize disappointment later.
Good luck with your search!
aaronz28
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Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:21 pm

Re: advice on buying a York tuba

Post by aaronz28 »

Hi guys - thanks a ton -
i've received some great advice and a bunch of private messages with useful Info -
still no closer to buying a horn - but at least I'm educated now :D

cheers

A
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