Posted by Steve Bloom on July 28, 2001 at 22:15:07:
In Reply to: FS: Conn Monster Eb posted by Scott on July 25, 2001 at 21:48:35:
The easy answer is, there are very few "good" 3-valve E-flat tubas from this era. I've had two Kings, a Conn, a Martin, and a York, all made between 1900 and 1915, and all were "large bell" models. I've also played several other "Giant" Eb tubas from that era. They all suffer from the same low register problems, and they are more alike than they are different. A 3-valve Eb from this period that needs work is going to cost more than it's worth to restore. I've kept my York only because it's a J.W. Dork (that's what it says!!), and it's the best Eb from that era I've played. But it simply doesn't measure up to any of the modern Eb piston designs.