Alex BBb to CC conversion

[MackBrass]

From what I see the only difference in the 163 Alex BBb and CC is the length of the dogleg and main tuning slide. Also I have noticed that the 1st 2nd and 3rd valve lengths are the same on both horns where only the 4th is longer on the BBb.

After careful measuring, changing the dogleg and main slide takes off exactly 24 inches. I am assuming this is all Alexander did as long as you have pipes that go straight in to the 1st and out at the bottom. Has anyone ever thought of making the change before? If so how did it turn out? I have a 3 valve 163 that I getting ready to convert. If it doesn't work it can be changed back to BBb.

I am choosing this as the three banger needs another valve anyway so why not give it a try.
Your thoughts?

[fairweathertuba]

As the old Nike ad says, JUST DO IT! Then get back to us with the results.

[eupher61]

Hmmm. I've only played a couple of BBb Alex tubas, and pitch seemed pretty stable, better than by far than CC s that I've experienced. Could this be an explanation?

[fairweathertuba]

Hmmm. I've only played a couple of BBb Alex tubas, and pitch seemed pretty stable, better than by far than CC s that I've experienced. Could this be an explanation?

Are you suggesting that some CC models are merely BBb's that are cut down in a rather hap hazard fashion?

[fairweathertuba]

Hmmm. I've only played a couple of BBb Alex tubas, and pitch seemed pretty stable, better than by far than CC s that I've experienced. Could this be an explanation?

Are you suggesting that some CC models are merely BBb's that are cut down in a rather hap hazard fashion?

This has been suggested several times before and the Miraphone 1291 CC might be considered the epitome of this sort of design manipulation.

[Dan Schultz]

CC tubas are built mainly for the US market. I've felt for a long time that tubas are prototyped in BBb because that's the majority of the market. They are then modified to play in CC.

[bort]

This has been suggested several times before and the Miraphone 1291 CC might be considered the epitome of this sort of design manipulation.

Kind of, but it's not like the 1291 CC is just a chopped down 1291 BBb -- they are pretty different; different leadpipes, different valve slide configurations, and I think even the top bow is taller on the BBb.

[Chuck Jackson]

All parts other than the main slide sections where most of the cut was made, the 1st rotor casings, and leadpipes that were of slightly different lengths WERE FULLY INTERCHANGABLE from BBb to CC.

I am going to throw in my experience on this whole topic. In high school I purchased an Alexander 163 from Paul Destito. He purchased it from Peter Popiel who purchased it from Chester Roberts who used it during his tenure with The Cleveland Orchestra. Here is the really odd part: It had an interchangeable tuning slide and 4th valve slide that moved the pitch from BBb to CC. The BBb main tuning slide was a double loop and the 4th valve slide was REALLY long. There was no dog leg and the lead pipe went straight in. Pitch on the BBb side was manageable, on the CC side it was, for lack of a better descriptor, "Alexanderish". When I was studying with Kevin Ladd he suggested I use the BBb 4th valve side with the CC tuning slide. The result was pretty good. I remember the 3rd partial G was INCREDIBLY SHARP. Go figure. I sold the horn to Don Harry in 1979. Maybe Mark Jones can see if he still owns it. There was a slide bend and crack in the Kranz where Mr. Popiel dropped the horn. I believe I gave Lee Stofer the extra tubes when we were stationed together in Atlanta. The horn had a huge leadpipe, requisite huge receiver, and a factory spacer so as to take a normal mouthpiece. It also had THE tuba sound I was always looking for. I sold it to buy a B&M made 4 piston, 1 rotor Marzan. I contend, as did an earlier poster, that Alex made what you asked for. I will try to dig up a picture of mine and post it.

Chuck