This instrument has been in my family for many years and we have never known much about it. Recently, I posted pictures of it on Horn-U-Copia and a Mr. Michael Keller said the instrument is most likely a tuba and that I should post about it here, as this is the place for tuba knowledge. Unfortunately, the logo on the bell has been polished to the point of obliteration and is very hard to read. In any case, here are several pictures of the instrument. If any additional information or pictures are necessary for identification do not hesitate to ask. Any information on my instrument it would be greatly appreciated!
Indeed! A very nice King tuba. Cosmetics make it look worse than it really is. It looks like the only major issue is the leadpipe. Hang on to that original mouthpiece!!! Without much work, it should be a very playable instrument. According to http://www.hnwhite.com" target="_blank" target="_blank , the serial number seems to date the horn to @1903. Compare the horn to this picture: http://www.hnwhite.com/King/Low%20Brass ... 0Large.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank . Nothing is exact, as in the early days of manufacturing, all companies tended to re-route the plumbing without notice, and note that graphic artists drew the illustrations, always with some license. Can you measure the diameter of the bell? If it is @15", then is almost assuredly an Eb tuba. Nice family heirloom. Does anyone in your family currently play a brass instrument?
iiipopes wrote:Indeed! A very nice King tuba. Cosmetics make it look worse than it really is. It looks like the only major issue is the leadpipe. Hang on to that original mouthpiece!!! Without much work, it should be a very playable instrument. According to http://www.hnwhite.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank , the serial number seems to date the horn to @1903. Compare the horn to this picture: http://www.hnwhite.com/King/Low%20Brass ... 0Large.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank . Nothing is exact, as in the early days of manufacturing, all companies tended to re-route the plumbing without notice, and note that graphic artists drew the illustrations, always with some license. Can you measure the diameter of the bell? If it is @15", then is almost assuredly an Eb tuba. Nice family heirloom. Does anyone in your family currently play a brass instrument?
Is the tuba a “Viking” about which little is known although I have seen attributions to Holton or is it a “King” made by H.N. White, which is a much more well known and prestigious manufacturer?
The bell does indeed measure 15” and the total length of the instrument appears to be 31 ½”.
Sadly no one in my family plays a brass instrument and the tuba has served silently as a display item/conversation piece for many years.
I was thinking H. N. White as well. I used to have an Eb tuba (Pan American) very similar in design to that. 3 valves, upright, nice playing horn. Mine also had a screwed up leadpipe. I would take that horn to a qualified repairman for restoration, you might be really surprised at what you have after some work on it. Good luck!
My opinion for what it's worth...
Principal Tuba - Miami Symphony, Kravis Pops
Tuba/Euphonium Instructor - Florida International University,
Broward College, Miami Summer Music Festival
Just looking closely at the pics, I can tell you for sure that the bracing and flanges are Holton. And the overall "look" of the tuba looks Holton to me. It is the ferrules that has me puzzled.
Either way, definitely an old, small Eb tuba; probably a very early Holton stencil
The family legend is the tuba came from a school although the person who initially acquired the tuba has long since passed away so there is no way to verify that story.
Most of the Conn models have a looped leadpipe with a water key instead of straight in, and the valve circuits go up and down instead of uniformly down. That, and the valve buttons and general appearance of the hardware, are why I conclude H. N. White, or King as the manufacturer.
