Here is my old helicon. I have always wanted one and luckily found this one on Ebay. It has no brand name or identifying markings on it anywhere due to an earlier overhaul whhere names weren't important. I have seen a couple of upright tubas that have a similar circular main tuning slide which leads me to believe that it may be a "Lignatone Bohland & Fuchs". It is in the key of CC. The biggest drawback with it is being made of a lightweight super thin brass. Nothing like the old EEb TRIUMPH heavy duty American brass. I would like to eventually get a 4 valved one in BBb if I can ever find one reasonable enough. I think most tuba players (who have the room for storing them) want one. It has quite a few flaws as it got roughed up during shipping but I would have to say it's in pretty good condition cosmetically. After taking apart and lubricating the rotary valves with the appropriate oils, the action of the clockwork springs is pretty good! It is leaking pretty bad at the 3rd valve. It appears to have been patched and broke during transport. I will be shopping around to see if I can get it repaired where it looks decent and will hold up. It feels a bit awkward because it doesn't rest on your shoulder like a sousaphone and sounds weird because of the leak. Despite all it's imperfections, I like it!

Click on image to check out the neat fading image unpacking of the helicon the day it arrived!