The 1905 bell and bottom bow were from a wall hanger, and the bell has two holes drilled through it. Fortunately, the holes were drilled very close to the bell to body brace, and very close to the mouthpiece receiver to bell brace so I was able to just shift the bell slightly and use the braces as both braces and as patches. The leadpipe angle is just a tiny bit funny for doing it (no visible patches). A skilled tech could bend that pipe, or bend a new leadpipe to fix the angle if it doesn't suit you. I actually don't mind it. Beautiful engraving, and the bell is otherwise very good.
This tuba has one interesting, unique trait for tubas of this size and shape: the bore goes .687-.695 and then tapers out to .750 by the time it hits the main slide, so a .750 bore rotor could go right BEFORE the small leg of the main slide, or a much larger rotor could go after the large leg of the main slide, though the low register response on this one is pretty good, as are false tones.
I have done some more work on the horn since the last post/bump. It now has more bracing, slightly better cosmetics, a few less or reduced dents and really feels like a complete horn more than a project, so I am adjusting the post accordingly. I'm keeping the price cheap and taking offers. Some other mouthpiece is probably a more ideal match, but it has a really strong sound that just gets louder and louder as you play lower with the Bayamo mouthpiece.
$2500/offer . (Have something I might like as a project? trade offers in part are welcome)
