mechanical tuba player

[Alex C]

I approach this topic with fear and trepidation and also with hope that it doesn't get misdirected in the soooo obvious humorous vein.

I was speaking with someone who has been an encyclopedia of tuba information; he mentioned in an offhanded way that some of the European tuba manufacturers used a mechanical tuba playing device. I was incredulous.

He said they use it to test their tubas in the development stage, this lets them bypass the human inconsistencies at this stage of development.

I asked a friend who has a good bit of background in the music industry and he said that Conn used such a mechanical device in the 1950's.

OK, has anyone on this BBS ever actually seen this device?

[Chuck(G)]

I believe that Wayne Tanabe's Brass Bow shop bought one of which you speak:

http://www.thebrassbow.com/request.htm

It hails from Austria; here's some more information from the originators:

http://www.bias.at/index_e.htm

[Lars Trawen]

If you check out the homepage of Rudolf Meinl you can find a picture showing the use of such a device. I'm sure it's of essential importance for their even quality.
http://www.rudolf-meinl.com/