What is on these tubas?

[WillDellinger]

I was wasting a little time on the Thein website, and saw some weird stuff. Zoom into this picture, and look at all of the outer slides. They have some weird engraving or something. What's going on here? Just some strange decoration?

http://thein-blechblasinstrumente.de/08 ... ba-5zv.php" target="_blank
It's also on the others too:
http://thein-blechblasinstrumente.de/08 ... ba-5zv.php" target="_blank
http://thein-blechblasinstrumente.de/08 ... ba-5pv.php" target="_blank

[bort]

Probably decoration, but Thein may claim there are some sonic advantages to it or something.

I'm not sure how those things play, but they are absolutely gorgeous... just as a $30k(?) tuba should be!

[Rex Roeges]

I don’t know what those odd rings on the surface are about either. But while I was there I took a look at their Eb and I’m not sure about those 5 piston valves (3 on right, 2 on left pistons seems odd to me), but I surely like the main tuning slide kicker on the right thumb!

[TheBerlinerTuba]

Hello Rex Roeges, Bort and WillDellinger

Those turned rings are standard for older german instruments as a decoration especially trombones. There are examples going back to the 1500s.
I find the mid 1800s german trombones (Deutsche Posaune) have some of the best examples.

Have a look through the Verein für Mitteldeutsche Posaunengeschickte website photos for some good examples:
http://www.vmpg.net/index.php?template=museum

Thein is simply being a bit retro, as do many other german makers.

cheers
TheBerlinerTuba

[tubeast]

I´ve had one of their F-tubas in my lap visiting their booth on the Messe in Frankfurt.
Thein definitely claim these "ornaments" in the valve braces have considerable impact on the horn´s sound and response.
According to the representative at their booth, these were subject of elaborate studies and R&D. The exact width, depth, number, and relative positions are minutely defined and do NOT follow decorational patterns.

I personally felt their horns play wonderfully, but not 3 or 4 times better than the usual, already overpriced brands.
I´d expect as much considering their price tag.

Hans

[imperialbari]

With this Bohland & Fuchs trombone the pattern might have the effect of shrinking ferrules to keep the tube ends together. Anyway these pressured or rolled patterns will harden the metal. If they were placed for sound reasons alone, they hardly would sit symmetrically on all slide receivers.

Klaus

[iiipopes]

I'm just as, if not moreso, intrigued by the 5th thumb valve being vertical to the valve block with what appears to be a comp loop for multi-valve combinations, reminiscent of the "bloke valve."