Alexander tuba at BBC

[Ace]

Check out the six valve (4+2) Alexander CC tuba at Baltimore Brass Company. I've never heard of a six valve CC. Are there others in tuba history?

http://www.baltimorebrass.net/pic.php?id=232

[MartyNeilan]

I think a new 6 valve Alex CC was sold within the last year through LowBrassWerks / Hornguys.com

[Ted Cox]

My one and only C tuba is an Alexander, which I play on in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. It was made in 1964 and back then, it cost $450, hard case and mouthpiece included which I still have. The lead pipe on Alex's are long and when you ordered a horn, you could add a fifth valve and a sixth valve for only $45 per valve and choose which length valve you wanted. My horn has a fifth valve which is a 3/4 step valve, or a very flat half step. This may seem odd, but it works perfectly for Db and Gb below the staff, using 4 and 5. The only other notes I use it for is sometimes low E and always for low Eb and D. I have to use a false tone for low Db, 2 and 3.
My horn is unusual in that it is made entirely out of solid nickel-silver. According to Anton Alexander, only 5 or 6 of these tubas were ever made. I've only ever seen two others. Although a little slower in response than the brass Alex's, you can push it very hard and the sound won't distort at all and it projects really well. Once upon a time, Alex's use to be the horn to play. Dave Kirk once described playing an Alex to me as a "journey in sound". He couldn't have been more right.
Most tubists don't want to take the time to learn how to play an Alex, but it really is a great journey.

[Mark E. Chachich]

I tried the 6 valve Alexander at the Baltimore Brass Company. My opinions are as follows.

Overall: This is one of the best Alexanders that I have tried. I would go so far as to say that it is one of the best tubas that I have tried.
Sound: typical Alexander: big, rich, dark German sound etc...
Intonation: good, if you have a good ear you should be able to play this tuba in tune. I had no problem with intonation.
projection: it will project (Alexanders generally do this well), and it can also be played softly and gently
feel: this tuba has an open feel, but has enough back pressure to get feedback from the horn. Some Alexanders feel too open to me, I like a bit of back pressure.
response: All ranges and dynamics were even when I played this tuba.

My opinion is, if someone is looking for an Alexander 163 CC (or just an excellent CC tuba) this one is worth trying.

best,
Mark

P.S.
I have played an Alexander 163 for 31 years and have tried several. Also, I admit that the Alexander 163 CC is the tuba that I like the most and have played most of my jobs on.

Mark