The European F Tuba

Here is my old no name German 4 valve F tuba. It was also purchased on Ebay and it came from Germany. It arrived in a SERIOUS state of disrepair. It was shipped in a poorly packed box and suffered damage to the bell and valve linkage. It was at one time raw brass, but someone took it upon themselves to paint it brown and silver. There are not an excessive amount of dents on it, but the garland has cracked and split all the way around the instrument. I have never seen one rotted that way. Perhaps it was damaged in a fire. It is definitely an eyesore. I will have to see what that will cost to have repaired. The metal is quite brittle and the supports and braces beneath the valve springs broke in 3 places. I managed to get the works back together but the 2nd valve spring is a little weaker than the other three valves. I had never had any experience winding clockwork springs. I used an old mouthpiece that I have had for years that works to test it out. I was pleasantly suprised when "F" sounded like "F" and not some weird high pitch go between. In the mean time, I will use it "as is". The general consensus on F tubas these days is 5 valves and big enough to get a big rich dark sound. This articular is of a smaller bore size. It sounds a bit stuffy but I am sure it is due to a few leaks here and there. F tubas are notorious for being out of tune and having pitch problems all to themselves. Perhaps I will be able to tweak it into shape. I have always wanted one. Now I have one!

Update!!!

I managed to take off a part of that ugly garland from the bell. It was in such bad condition it literally broke off into my hand. I was able to reshape the bell into a nicer form with relative ease. The problem will be resoldering the bell wire and bell that has become detached and removing the jagged edge left from the garland. I plan to get soldering on it soon. I will have to find some clamps to hold the horn together while I work.

More Update!!!

I got out my Dremel and managed to cut off the sharp rusted part of garland off the bell. I took my time and managed to get all of it cut off with no damage to the bell. I cut it very close to the rim and the instrument looks much better with it off. I still need to get the appropriate low melting solder to repair the bell and that is in the works.

Click on the middle picture to see fading images of the f tuba arrival!