"Master Art" BBb tuba

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WakinAZ
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"Master Art" BBb tuba

Post by WakinAZ »

I am currently borrowing a "Master Art" BBb tuba from my repairman.
It has three upright pistons, stands about 36 in high, has a 20in wide bell, and compares in size overall quite closely with the larger Marzan BB-flat (see pics at https://www.flickr.com/photos/165581760 ... 8791482196).
The bore as near as I can measure with my amateur measuring equipment appears to be either .687" or .719".
The engraving on the bell reads MasterArt Elkhart USA.
By its general appearance, I assumed it was a Conn stencil and looked up the serial number, which placed it at 1915.
after trying to look up a little more information on MasterArt tubas, now I'm not so sure. It appears maybe Buescher made this, or one of their offshoots or who knows? What say you, TNFJ?
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groth
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Re: "Master Art" BBb tuba

Post by groth »

Grand Rapids Band Instrument maybe?
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Matt Walters
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Re: "Master Art" BBb tuba

Post by Matt Walters »

Looks like a Conn stencil. That means a student line Pan American with whatever name you want engraved on it as long as you will pay for it. And some people thought stenciled horns were just a Chinese thing.
Matt Walters
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WakinAZ
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Re: "Master Art" BBb tuba

Post by WakinAZ »

Thanks for your input guys.
It's a fun and interesting horn regardless of who made it.
It's the oldest horn I've ever played, at a hundred years plus.

The Conn/PanAm theory seems to match the appearance and s/n more than anything else.

-Eric L.
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edsel585960
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Re: "Master Art" BBb tuba

Post by edsel585960 »

Oh yeah, that's Conn in origin.
Conn 20-21 J
Conn 10J, Conn 26 K, Martin Mammoth, Mirafone 186, Soviet Helicon, Holton Raincatcher Sousaphone, Yamaha 103, King 1240.
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