Does anybody know anything about this Melton Spezial Eb Tuba?
Model, build year, size?
Measured inner diameter on the 2. valve slide is about 0,625"
No serial number to be found on the leadpipe. Looks like the receiver has been replaced
The only number I can spot is 3449 on one of the valve caps
Please help identify this Melton Spezial Eb
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sidenius
- bugler
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:11 am
- Location: Denmark
Please help identify this Melton Spezial Eb
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bort
- 6 valves
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- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Please help identify this Melton Spezial Eb
It's not very common, that's for sure. The linkages are a modern style, so it's maybe not THAT old of a tuba? 20 years or so?
A quick google search turned up a few similar results in Europe... the first one is called Model 39, so I'm guessing it's something close to that (to be consistent with their naming in that era). My best guess: Only some of the model numbers were available in the US market, but I'm pretty sure Melton reserved the numbers to use for the different tubas with different valve configurations. The Model numbers in the low-mid 30s were for 4/4 CC tubas with different numbers of valves and fixed/detachable bells. The common F tubas are Model 45 (5 valves) and Model 46 (6 valves). I wouldn't be surprised if the Eurpoean Market saw Models 43 and 44 as 3- and 4-valve student tubas. So, this only leaves a few Model numbers in the upper 30s or low 40s for Eb tubas. Model 39 seems like as good of a guess as anything else.
Body/bell seem similar, but 5 valves and a different layout of the tubing:
https://www.tutti.ch/de/vi/glarus/musik ... a/25399150
This one looks a lot like yours, but with the normal Melton engraving and a different layout of tubing in the back:
https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/195 ... b-tuba#lot
A quick google search turned up a few similar results in Europe... the first one is called Model 39, so I'm guessing it's something close to that (to be consistent with their naming in that era). My best guess: Only some of the model numbers were available in the US market, but I'm pretty sure Melton reserved the numbers to use for the different tubas with different valve configurations. The Model numbers in the low-mid 30s were for 4/4 CC tubas with different numbers of valves and fixed/detachable bells. The common F tubas are Model 45 (5 valves) and Model 46 (6 valves). I wouldn't be surprised if the Eurpoean Market saw Models 43 and 44 as 3- and 4-valve student tubas. So, this only leaves a few Model numbers in the upper 30s or low 40s for Eb tubas. Model 39 seems like as good of a guess as anything else.
Body/bell seem similar, but 5 valves and a different layout of the tubing:
https://www.tutti.ch/de/vi/glarus/musik ... a/25399150
This one looks a lot like yours, but with the normal Melton engraving and a different layout of tubing in the back:
https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/195 ... b-tuba#lot
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sidenius
- bugler
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:11 am
- Location: Denmark
Re: Please help identify this Melton Spezial Eb
Thank you very much for your replies!
Must be some sort of a rarity I have here.
I'm testing it before eventually buying.
The price is $900 which in Denmark is a VERY good price for a used European tuba.
Probably not so good an offer compared to US prices.
It's certainly not pretty and some of the resoldering looks like something done by a blindfolded amateur tech - but- it plays rather well and the tuning is ok.
Must be some sort of a rarity I have here.
I'm testing it before eventually buying.
The price is $900 which in Denmark is a VERY good price for a used European tuba.
Probably not so good an offer compared to US prices.
It's certainly not pretty and some of the resoldering looks like something done by a blindfolded amateur tech - but- it plays rather well and the tuning is ok.