Posted by Lew on January 14, 2002 at 17:14:29:
In Reply to: Re: Antique?!? posted by Lee Stofer on January 13, 2002 at 16:09:49:
Lee,
I think you have come up with as reasonable a cut-off date for considering something "antique" as any other I have heard. I have a few 19th century Eb tubas on which it is almost impossible to play an entire scale in tune. Even so, the tuba I keep coming back to play is an 1893 Henry Distin BBb. It was originally made in high pitch/low pitch, but only the low pitch slide survived. Once the slide was cut to modern pitch, all of the valve slides can be pulled so that it plays perfectly in tune. It is still the easiest blowing, nicest sounding tuba I have ever played. Even without a 4th valve, it is an ideal all-around tuba. When I want a little more sound I use my 1934 Conn 22J, with the recording bell.