Old Conn Eb Tuba 3 Valves c. 1921

[jacobg]

A very similar Conn Eb just sold on the bay with a 14" bell and 4 valves.
Has anyone every used one of these small, early American Eb tubas in a professional setting? I know about the problems with mouthpieces, pitch, etc, but is it as bad for the 14" bell models as it is for the monster and giant Eb tubas?

[jacobg]

Yes, that was what I had in mind as a professional application: serpent, cimbasso, or outside the realm of the classics like a balkan band as a subsitute for an F Helicon? or Oktoberfest band?

[jacobg]

It also strikes me that it's not too much bigger than the Chinese travel tubas. Could this be a high quality alternative, especially a 4 valve model?

[MartyNeilan]

It also strikes me that it's not too much bigger than the Chinese travel tubas. Could this be a high quality alternative, especially a 4 valve model?

I am rebuilding an old L&H that I estimate to be in that size range. I would compare it to the YFB621 on size and capability. That would put it as roughly twice the size of a travel tuba or "bubbie".