Posted by Paul Scott on October 14, 2003 at 08:11:52:
In Reply to: Comparing old-timers equipment to today posted by Mark Heter on October 14, 2003 at 01:41:46:
A great post. Didn't William Bell and another player (by the name of Black, I believe) share a sousaphone that they kept in a locker at Grand Central Station? I've also heard that Bell preferred to record with an Eb sousaphone, (at least for his solo recordings).
Another story I've heard is that when Holton copied Arnold Jacobs York, Mr. Jacobs actually wanted them to make it a bell front tuba. Now I have no idea if this is true or not but perhaps someone like Brian Frederiksen could shed some light on it.
If you take a look at a Mirafone catalogue from the late 60s you'll still see a lot of bell front models prominently featured, (yes, they made 'em). It wasn't that long ago that bell fronts were accepted generally-is a comeback in the making?