The Triumph EEb Tuba

Here is my old EEb tuba. It is engraved, THE ELKHART TRIUMPH MADE BY ELKHART MUSICAL INST-CO, ELKHART, IND." also engraved is U.S.Q.M.C. Considering it's age, it's in pretty good condition cosmetically as it does not have a bunch of dents all over. It leaks terribly around the valves and is kept around for it's sentimental reasons. This instrument was a gift from my first band director. Being overjoyed with my acquisition, I immediately took it to the local repair shop to have an obvious hole on the first valve slide repaired nd have it put in good playing condition. The repairman said he would "get right on it". After a few weeks of hearing, "I'm waiting for the parts", "check back with me tomorrow", and "he isn't here, may I take the message?" I finally got the tuba back. I was very disappointed to find a very unprofessional sloppy patch and 3 even worse looking soldering jobs. I think he even called himself aligning the valves. The horn still leaked and sounded bad even to an 8th grader! After complaining and calling the repairman explaining it looked worse and didn't sound any better for $65.00, my Dad intervened we went to the music store and I got my money back. On the way back home, he explained to me that the repairman either didn't want to work on it or he wanted the tuba for himself.

The Triumph has lots of character. It has a large engraving that still looks nice. It's vintage satin and silver finish has tarnished to an interesting patina. Normally I would be rubbing it off with a bunch of rags and a can of silver cleaner, but I think I will leave this one alone. It has an old Rudy Muck mouthpiece I found a few years ago and it seems to have been made for the horn. The metal of this horn is VERY solid. It has a HUGE 21 inch bell considering it's stocky 33 inch size. Raincatcher to go!