New Equivalent of Olds 099-4?

[MShores]

I had an Olds 4 valve that I really enjoyed but sold because I wasn’t playing it. If I wanted a modern day equivalent, what would that be?

I’ve been out of the loop for a while on things like this so I was wondering if anyone had any insight.

Thanks,
Matthew

[bloke]

Conn 5J, yet not.

[Mark]

Doesn't Miraphone make a 3/4, 4-valve, piston tuba?

[BuddyRogersMusic]

Miraphone 1271 (or something like that) is described as a 7/8 size piston tuba in BBb. We have one on consignment. Decent horn but steep price for what it is with other competitors more attractively priced (JP, Eastman, Jupiter).

[bloke]

Every once in awhile, a cream puff 99-4 shows up for sale.

[hrender]

Amati still shows a couple of piston front-action horns. No idea how they play or how well-built they are.

[LeMark]

If you're searching, don't forget to also search for the bach Mercedes, same instrument

[hrender]

Every once in awhile, a cream puff 99-4 shows up for sale.

I've seen a one or two 99-4s up recently (plus this), but of late the creampuffs are thin on the ground.

[bloke]

I've often wondered about a "power" or "SS" O-99 with a King valveset.

[MShores]

Miraphone 1271 (or something like that) is described as a 7/8 size piston tuba in BBb. We have one on consignment. Decent horn but steep price for what it is with other competitors more attractively priced (JP, Eastman, Jupiter).

What JP, Eastman, Jupiter models compare?

Also, the idea of another Olds or Bach that doesn’t have shot valves and other issues is appealing, but I was curious about what is out there that is readily available. That way if timing and funding don’t line up with a vintage instrument, I would know what to explore.

Thanks for all the info so far!

[The Big Ben]

I had an Olds 4 valve that I really enjoyed but sold because I wasn’t playing it. If I wanted a modern day equivalent, what would that be?

I’ve been out of the loop for a while on things like this so I was wondering if anyone had any insight.

I'm interested in this subject, too, because I had my Olds stolen last month. A new Conn 5J doesn't seem to be a very good value. It is very expensive for what it is and seems most suited to be paid for with school district purchase orders.

I see one 3/4 size BBb from Mack which is a "new and improved" Yamaha 103 with four valves and a bigger bell. It's about $2500 with shipping et. al. and isn't that much more expensive than a used horn. (I believe JP has a similar interpretation of the Yamaha 103)

A Miraphone 184 BBb is about the same size as the Olds but I don't know how much those cost when they come up for sale.

I have seen and heard Jupiter horns and a friend has one in 4/4 BBb. Any opinions on Jupiter's 3/4, 4v BBb offerings?

[The Big Ben]

Miraphone 1271 (or something like that) is described as a 7/8 size piston tuba in BBb. We have one on consignment. Decent horn but steep price for what it is with other competitors more attractively priced (JP, Eastman, Jupiter).

I looked for this on your website and could not find it. Is it listed?

[MShores]

I like the idea and price of the MackBrass horn but how does that Yamaha style compare to the Olds? It’s physically smaller correct? And is the bore size similar?

[LeMark]

i put them in a difference classification. the olds/bach and the conn 4j/5j play a lot bigger and richer than the yamaha, which is really a student line 3v 3/4.

[MShores]

i put them in a difference classification. the olds/bach and the conn 4j/5j play a lot bigger and richer than the yamaha, which is really a student line 3v 3/4.

I’ve never played a Yamaha but that’s my feeling too. The Olds was a smaller horn that I felt could still hold its own in a larger ensemble.

[LeMark]

there is a 5j on facebook right now
https://www.facebook.com/groups/258968318718414

[bone-a-phone]

The Mack Brass 422 is nice for what it is, but it's different from an O-99-4. It's shaped like the 103, but it has 4 valves and a slightly larger bell. The 422 is considered a 3/4 and I think the 0-99 is generally considered a 7/8, for whatever that means. I wouldn't use the 422 for bigger groups unless you have some backup.If you live close to eastern VA and you can go pick it up, you can get a bit of a discount from Mack.

[bloke]

I just think it's sad that Conn-Selmer had the tooling for both the Olds and the Conn, but chose to keep the Conn.

[Rick Denney]

Though the bell has too much pancake by comparison, the new-style King 2341 and it’s clones have a lot of similar qualities, including playability. The version of that that I own is the Eastman EBB-534. Personally, I thinks it’s better than the King in nearly every way.

Rick “wishing the bell was 18” instead of 20, however” Denney

[bloke]

Though the bell has too much pancake by comparison, the new-style King 2341 and it’s clones have a lot of similar qualities, including playability. The version of that that I own is the Eastman EBB-534. Personally, I thinks it’s better than the King in nearly every way.

Rick “wishing the bell was 18” instead of 20, however” Denney

The in-between (throughout) - the vintage compact 4/4 York/Holton size - but with the 11/16" bore (as so many have done in their shops, and as Getzen pieced together from various outsources) seems like the ideal in that size range, but something not currently offered in either B flat or C. That size just seems to be the perfect balance of power and resonance (though again, I would like to sometime find out how an 11/16" bore would dance with an O-99 body). So many always mention roughly this bore size on some E-flat tuba being the "do everything", but I think what I've described in this paragraph probably comes a bit closer, if someone had to sacrifice all their "side squeeze" tubas...

... and even though the bell size, bore size, and type of valves are all different, it's really quite fascinating how the Cerveny Arion, the same thing now made by Lidl, and also the same-design John Packer jp379b all check the same boxes - as what I described in the previous paragraph, even though this design seems to be so different from the 4/4 York/Holton/Getzen config.