Posted by Rob P-M on October 31, 2001 at 07:28:10:
In Reply to: Reynolds Contempora Tuba info posted by Winston Mitchell on October 30, 2001 at 17:07:52:
I can't give you very much. In the 1950s, Roth-Reynolds Co., maker of Roth-Reynolds and Reynolds Band Instruments was located on Superior Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland was also the home of H.N. White Co., maker of King instruments, Cleveland instruments and various other student grade brands).
Looking at a 1954 catalog, the Reynolds Contempora Recording Bass BBb or Eb Symphony models are shown on page 16, along with the featured Reynolds Contempora Sousaphones.
The illustrations of both the tuba and the sousaphone look exactly like Kings: the sousaphone looks like a King 1250 (although the Reynolds specification is for a 25" bell, not a 26" bell as was standard on the King and big Conn sousaphones) and the recording bass looks exactly like the early models (tuning slide in leadpipe) of the King 1240 Symphony Bass. Unfortunately, there are no specifications given, but if the horn really is a copy of the King, it would have a .687" bore and a 23" bell . Cost in 1954 was $690 in brass or silverplate, cases cost an extra $200.
In a side note, apparently Reynolds was giving Conn a run for its money in French horns, the Reynolds Contempora Double Horn, Pottag Model (in Bb, F and Eb) was $530 and was endorsed by famous hornist Max Pottag.