What Is This???

[Untersatz]

Can this tuba really this BIG???
I mean look at the bottom of the bell rim..........it's even with the top of this guy's head!
And it's leaning to the left a bit too!!!
Look at the size of that bell
Anybody know what kind of horn this is (was)???

Giant Tuba.jpg

[Dan Schultz]

Possibly a detachable bell Reynolds. Here is an image of the 'big and litle' Reynolds.

[Ken Herrick]

I think Dan has hit the nail on the head here. I can not recall the players name but am pretty sure the picture would have been taken at Interlochen in 63 or 64. Another player who was there then was Kathy Brannigan, (sp?) nee Ailsworth, who had a good career in Denver and at one time was secretary or treasurer of T.U.B.A. Another was Greg Posvistak who, when he enrolled in Med School, right after finishing high school, got the tuba gig with Kansas City.

[Untersatz]

1953-Amarillo-TX-Stanley-Hoefer-Tuba
Stanley Hoefer Tuba Player Natl HS Band and Orchestra. Hoefer is perched on a stone wall overlooking Lake Wahbakanetta to practice. He was attending the National Music Camp at Interlochen MI. Photographer Unknown. Dated 7/20/1953. The following stamps are on the back of the photo: NEA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-Amarillo-T ... 2ecec976d8" target="_blank

[Ken Herrick]

That all rings true EXCEPT for the year. I really feel sure it should have been 63.

Just did some checking, Kathleen Aylsworth Brantigan , will try getting an email to her to see if she can corroborate this.

[Dan Schultz]

You can own one of those horns. Here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reynolds-Contem ... 461aa8ffaa" target="_blank

[Ken Herrick]

I am guessing a bit here..............

If the one in Dan's pic should happen to be for sale, it could be VERY well worth considering.
The Reynolds tubas were well made, lovely sounding, easy to play instruments. "Bloke' has described them as "King 1241s on steroids". Otherwise, the one Dan put the link to, even if it took a $500 Anderson's valve job, would represent very good value. A decent player could make one work with about any ensemble - or as a "tuba" solo instrument (as opposed to a Eupho on steroids F or such). If you took one of these to your community band it would be appreciated.

[Untersatz]

If you took one of these to your community band it would be appreciated.

I agree with you Ken, but I am already appreciated with this............

2341-Martin-Gnagey BAT.jpg