I FINISHED IT !!!

[Paul S]

I would like to "ooooo" and "aaaaaaah" without shiny plating.

I am just amazed at seeing creations like this even having but minimum understanding of the hours of time and skill required to do it. I restore antique Ericsson telephonesfrom the 1800s for museums but yours is a work of love that can actually provide more than just a pleasing look once that first note is played.

An audio clip would be as welcome as photographs of the plating job.

Thank you for sharing.

[UDELBR]

Slick, Joe!

Teensy nit to pick though: I mighta wrapped the 4th slide tubing somewhat differently to keep it out of harm's way.

Wish I had $65,000 laying around!

[Mudman]

whazzit? for your eyes, a 4 piston 1 rotor Buescher CC helicon

Where are you going to play it? Wherever I can! I'm hoping (once the trombone section hears it) they'll "lobby" for it, if there's any resistance from the podium.

You are assuming that the trombone section will be a) awake b) sober.

Looks great Joe!

Are you going to do the spiral plating-pattern you talked about in the bell? That would look really cool. (But then it might make the conductor actually notice that you were WEARING your tuba?!)

[UDELBR]

Teensy nit to pick though: I mighta wrapped the 4th slide tubing somewhat differently to keep it out of harm's way.

'Course, I'm astounded there are ANY working 4th valve loops left on any Conn 5xJ model tubas, the way the designers hung 'em out in the "strike zone".

[Paul S]

I restore antique Ericsson telephonesfrom the 1800s for museums...

Those are amazing...Here's a dumb question: What would happen if I hooked up one of those wall units to modern (basic) two-wire service. Could I receive calls??? make calls???

The old girls were designed using hand cranked magnetos to send current down the telephone lines to ring the telephone bells along the way. For example your “numberâ€

[smurphius]

That is just an absolutely amazing piece of work you have there.

Have you ever seen any other tubas (or any brass instrument for that matter) with the spiral design you speak of? That is such an amazing idea!!

Great job on all your custom hard work. You've definately got one heck of a horn on your hands. I'd pay $65,000 for that in a heart beat!

Haha.

[ThomasDodd]

so why are you posting all of the pictures? I purposely am throwing up the pictures now PRIOR to it getting a gorgeous satin silver finish (with bright silver and 24K gold offsets) to avoid the "WOW...It sure is a beaut' !" comments. I threw the pictures up to entertain the repair, home-repair, wannabe repair, and techno-geek types, as everything on this horn is (obviously) super-custom...Its the tuba version of that goofy let's-build-a-custom-motorcycle show that you guys waste time watching (who have cable TV).

I think it's beautimus as it is. distinctive, full of chracter.

Once you close your shop, you should consider starting a custom line of horns. Kinda like the Chip Foose or Jesse James of low brass Functional works of art. Somone's bound to pay money for them, and you can keep the best stuff for you personal enjoyment.

[tubarepair]

Joe,

With all those necks, you make wonder if you're a bassoonist! #1 neck = #1 bocal
#2 neck = #2 bocal
etc.

The project looks great. Is it headed to Anderson, Badger or someplace else?

Daryl

[bigboom]

That horn looks phenominal, can't wait to see it finished. If I could sell my parents' house I'd.... I better not, I'd rather let you enjoy your horn. I am kind of curious, do you use any bits on it? I too would enjoy a sound clip of it if you get around to it. My name is Ben if you want to add it to your will.

Ben

[Dylan King]

That is the coolest horn I have ever seen. WOW.

[MaryAnn]

Well, somebody beat me to the will thing. Rats.

Cool. I'd love to play it, as of course would everyone else.

MA, who thinks there should be a contest for sousa bell decoration designs.

[Bob Sadler]

Wha?
Big bell, 4P/1R, in C - Joe you are such a slave to fashion!
What's next, solder a peg to the bottom and call it a cimbasso?
If you ever want to cryo-treat it, you're welcome to send it up here for a winter

Nice work.

Bob Sadler
Edmonton, Alberta

[Lew]

Very cool horn. I'm sure it will be a blast to play. It does look like the opening is a little tight though, kinda like on the tiny Buescher Eb helicon that I used to own. Just don't gain any weight.

[Shockwave]

That horn is so cool! Please make some sort of sound clip so we can hear the tone.

Was this Buescher helicon originally designed to play in high pitch? I have an old BBb high pitch tuba (more like a BB tuba) with an extended tuning slide before the valves. It seems like it might be the world's easiest CC conversion but I'd like to know how much tubing you had to remove before the valves to make your helicon play in CC. It would probably be the same for my horn.

-Eric

[UDELBR]

Can we refer to this as the BLOKE-O-PHONE?

[Tom Holtz]

Yowza. She looks like she can bring the thunder, all right. My Buescher Eb helicon needs some work, and it plays great. Can't imagine how this thing plays. I know that you repair guys really get your rocks off on cutting and soldering, but this was still a ton of work. This thing had better sound like Warren Deck for all the time you put into it. If I'm ever in Memphis again, I'll be coming over with a case of whatever beverage will distract you long enough for me to play some notes on that evil girl.

[Rick Denney]

As to the will...my former teacher (nine years older than I am) has already played it and requested that I will it to him... ...Perhaps my former teacher knows something that I don't...

He might also be planning something.

Rick "who advises avoiding dark alleys" Denney

[Art Hovey]

Bloke, I am sure that you did not need anyone to tell you how to approach this project, but I do remember suggesting something very much like it right here a couple of years ago in a thread about cutting sousaphones to CC. I am happy to see that it worked just as I thought it might. You da MAN!

Have you considered making the bell removable? Then you could fit it all into a case with reasonable size.

-looking forward to seeing the pics after plating.

[dunelandmusic]

Joe, you need a hobby

Jeff

[scottw]

Absolutely, a thing of great beauty! Congratulations on a superior piece of art. Thank you for sharing it with us!