1925 York 6/4 BBb

[arpthark]

Hi everyone. Yes, I bought that beast of a York model 730 BBb in Vermont. Thanks Steve!

This is the largest tuba I’ve ever owned. I hate to use the word “comically,” but it is comically large. Huge, blossoming sound. Intonation is truly not bad at all, but it could stand to have the first valve slide trimmed a bit (would that be sacrilegious?). Piston plating is decent, B+ or so, and the slides still get pop when pulled out. The pistons are long, but extremely light and fast with nearly no distortion in the porting, as has been mentioned.

With both the Alexander 164 BBb and the York 730 here, it’s been really fascinating to compare two of the consummate large tubas in both German and American styles. And they’re approximately the same age, too (York is ‘25 and Alex is likely 1930s).

Oh yeah, it has the original York 91 mouthpiece, too.

Have some pics!

[Sousaswag]

I am so jealous. Glad it went to someone who will give it what it needs! What a score you got on a rare beast.

[arpthark]

The top 1st slide is adjustable, and already pretty nicely aligned, which is nice, so if I can trim the bottom slide it’ll be in business.

The only thing this thing really needs is a brace on the upper 3rd valve circuit. With all the long braces, it does feel a bit delicate, and I could imagine accidentally skewing the valves and wrenching them a little with a careless adjustment. I have to remind myself to NOT pick it up by the 3rd circuit. It’s a bit unwieldy. The 22” bell is a contributing factor.

Open bugle intonation, I have been finding that the low and middle B-flats are a bit close together (low Bb maybe 5c sharp and “tuning” Bb about 10c flat), F is good, D is good, upper F is 10c sharp, and high Bb is a bit flat. The only problem note I’ve encountered is the second space C, which is quite, quite flat. Not a huge deal in practice since on my Alexes and Piggy it’s second nature to play that note 1-3. I am sure that the more I play it, the more other things will emerge. So far, it’s been a blast.

[prairieboy1]

Congratulations on your latest acquisition! It is a beautiful horn and I am only a little envious!

[York-aholic]

@arpthark There should already be a brace from the upper third tubing to the top bow. Is it missing?

I have one (in silver) that I’ll donate to the cause.

Pretty nice looking instrument!

[arpthark]

@arpthark There should already be a brace from the upper third tubing to the top bow. Is it missing?

I have one (in silver) that I’ll donate to the cause.

Pretty nice looking instrument!

Yes, it looks like it broke some time in the past.

Not sure about a donation, but I’ll send you a message.

You’ll have to get paid just like everybody else.

[BramJ]

Very cool tuba!
Curious about the comparison with the 164

[bloke]

I wonder how similar those York 22-inch bells are to the Conn one-piece 22-inch upright bells from the same era.

Blake, you know where one of those is that's not terribly far from you...

...and how soon before you dump your C instruments?

[arpthark]

Very cool tuba!
Curious about the comparison with the 164

I did a comparison and asked for my wife's educated opinion --

York: more diffuse/blooming but bouncier (?) /rounder sounding, with a slightly brighter sound

Alex 164: more directional and clearer sounding, with a slightly darker sound

Basically, the things we've been saying/hearing about American vs. German style tubas for years, coming from someone with no prior knowledge of things like that.

[MiBrassFS]

I did a comparison and asked for my wife's educated opinion --

York: more diffuse/blooming but bouncier (?) /rounder sounding, with a slightly brighter sound

Alex 164: more directional and clearer sounding, with a slightly darker sound

Basically, the things we've been saying/hearing about American vs. German style tubas for years, coming from someone with no prior knowledge of things like that.

Reminds me of the time I was trying a well known player’s BBb tuba in NYC and asked for my wife’s opinion. Her reply was “it sounds like a big French horn…” I’ll tell you, she meant that in the worst possible way, too! Heh, heh…

[bort2.0]

Congrats Blake, that's a hell of a score!

[humBell]

Congrats Blake, that's a hell of a score!

Parsed that as an On the Town reference.

Thanks!

[edfirth]

Is this the York that Tim Jackson was selling awhile back?

[arpthark]

Is this the York that Tim Jackson was selling awhile back?

No, I am the third(?) owner. This tuba was found in a closet by an old lady, presumably her deceased husband’s horn, and sold it to a music shop in Bangor, Maine. The previous owner bought it from there in 1978.

[tubatodd]

That is a beautiful horn. The 22" bell certainly contributes to the tone I'm sure.

Anecdote:

My tuba professor in college, David Unland, acquired a 6/4 York "Rusk Cut" CC in the middle of my 4 years (likely 98-99) at Ithaca College. I remember the bell was cut down to 20" (I think) and a "rim" (if you want to call it that) was soldered/welded along the edge...ish. I wonder if it started out life as a 4 valve version of what you have. The 730 did have a 4 valve option. Given that his York Master had a huge bell, I bet Dave would have loved for that horn to have had an unmolested bell.

[bloke]

I'm not putting this horn down, but I think Tim's was a little bit prettier.

[arpthark]

I'm not putting this horn down, but I think Tim's was a little bit prettier.

Yup. This one’s been used-but-not-abused for the past 40 years, and it shows.

[edfirth]

Man, It's a beauty! I'm glad you got it and hope you have a gas playing it. Ed

[catgrowlB]

That is a beautiful horn. The 22" bell certainly contributes to the tone I'm sure.

I agree, and that huge bell probably helps give it a more string-bass-section quality to its sound, making it great for large concert band. I bet the false tones are great as well

[MiBrassFS]

Maybe there needs to be a reenactment of this photo with Arpthark and Arpthark Jr!

Clipboard Apr 9, 2025 at 5.56 AM.jpeg (177.3 KiB) Viewed 1158 times