My monster Eb build.

Projects, repair topics, and Frankentubas
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by bloke »

Someday, I'd like to see you do something nicer with that lower #4 situation...not that it would play any better, but simply to step up aesthetics.
I have a box of stuff that I should look through for you to see if I might be able to help.

Believe it or not, I actually know where that box is, and it's actually currently underfoot.


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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

Me too.

The issue is the nub sticking out of the 4th valve is very short, and it took a maddening about of time to get it to not leak on my old Frankentuba, so I was apprehensive about touching it
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by bloke »

later on, we'll come up with something. :thumbsup:
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

Mocked up the leadpipe and the main tuning slide on the york Frankentuba before I send them off for plating. Low range is a little stuffy I need to look for a leak in the 4th valve circuit, but over all I would say intonation is best case scenario for a York. There's no more than 20 cents difference between the partials, and I can take care of those with a Tuning stick later.

Very pleased with the project so far.

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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

Couple updates
1. The box of parts to be silver plated made it to Andersons today! Can't wait to get those back

2. I took the tuba to Carl's shop and he taught me how to use his tools to get the Bell better. It's not perfect, but it was pretty terrible when I got it, and I'm happy with how it looks now. Thanks Carl!



3. I found out that the york DOES (kind of) fit into the bag that I used with my Packer Arion copy and my old Eb. There is 3 1/2 inches of difference in bell size between the horns, but it somehow worked. I'm glad, I wasn't looking forward to buying another gig bag
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bloke (Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:27 pm)
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by UncleBeer »

Mark did a great job himself, with a minimum of me shouting. :teeth: Highest praise!

As I've said before: I *love* when people dare to learn and try things themselves. That's how we all ultimately grow. Big props!
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by bloke »

I might have to put up a tent and supply bologna sandwiches and off-brand coke, if @LeMark spends the summer here busting dents out of sousaphone bodies, bells, tubas, saxes, and misc. marching brass.

I might (??) even let him play with the John Deere z-trak and the chainsaw - before-and-after work. :bugeyes: :thumbsup:
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

I don't think I've ever posted it here, but this is how It looked when I bought it. I have to admit when I saw this photo for the first time I didn't want any part of it, but when I saw it in person I could see under all that tarnish was decent silver. Plus Norm kept throwing in more and more parts until I couldn't say no
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by York-aholic »

LeMark wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 9:05 pm I don't think I've ever posted it here, but this is how It looked when I bought it. I have to admit when I saw this photo for the first time I didn't want any part of it, but when I saw it in person I could see under all that tarnish was decent silver. Plus Norm kept throwing in more and more parts until I couldn't say no
What’s the instrument behind it, closest to the seats (whose valve set we can see)? Euphonium or another Eb?
Some old Yorks, Martins, and perhaps a King rotary valved CC
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by York-aholic »

LeMark wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:28 pm 3. I found out that the york DOES (kind of) fit into the bag that I used with my Packer Arion copy and my old Eb. There is 3 1/2 inches of difference in bell size between the horns, but it somehow worked. I'm glad, I wasn't looking forward to buying another gig bag
Score!
Some old Yorks, Martins, and perhaps a King rotary valved CC
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

York-aholic wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:37 am
LeMark wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 9:05 pm I don't think I've ever posted it here, but this is how It looked when I bought it. I have to admit when I saw this photo for the first time I didn't want any part of it, but when I saw it in person I could see under all that tarnish was decent silver. Plus Norm kept throwing in more and more parts until I couldn't say no
What’s the instrument behind it, closest to the seats (whose valve set we can see)? Euphonium or another Eb?
I think it's a euphonium. That's a Photo Norm sent me
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.

Post by Dents Be Gone! »

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.
Last edited by Dents Be Gone! on Wed May 01, 2024 7:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

My Stuff came back from Andersons yesterday, exactly two weeks after they received it.

I should have wiped down or polished the horn before I took a pic, but oh well.

I still want to add a MTS Stick, bit basically it's done. There are just a couple notes that really need a kicker or alternate fingerings, so for a York I'm going to call that a win. I have the parts for the stick, it should look nice and work well

Low range is a little stuffy, but from what I hear that's not unusual for this kind of tuba
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by bloke »

I would have to label that "wild, but not at all ugly".

:smilie8:
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

Thanks, it will be better when I clean it up.

Working on the tuning stick right now. It will be pretty neat
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by Grumpikins »

Wow. That really is a monster. But a good one. Awesome job.

Sent from my SM-S367VL using Tapatalk

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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

Installed the tuning stick today. Works great!

The throw is only 45m, but fortunately I don't even need that much, so this is plenty

Just some polishing, change one thing about the 5th valve linkage, take some pics and I will declare this project to be DONE
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

I think I'm done! This is mostly york, but it has a miraphone leadpipe and 5th valve, cerveny receiver, various parts from my spare parts box. The main difference between this and most front action yorks is the shorter leadpipe, which allows me to put the valve section higher, which is a win for my long arms. I usually don't like piston valves because of the size of my hands, but when I get to proportion it to my size, it's nice. Plays good, it's much more in tune than york has the reputation for. I'm wondering if the large but short leadpipe has anything to do with that. Low range is a bit stuffy I can't really play down to the 2nd G below the staff
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by LeMark »

A few updates on the york Frankentuba.

The more I play it, the better it feels. Seriously, don't even notice any stuffiness in the low range, it feels great. I guess I learned how to make it work

I need to install a spit valve. I have one, I just haven't put it on yet.

I have the Kelly x-small mouthpiece on order, but it will have to play amazing to unseat what I'm using now, A bloke solo with a nice thick rim and.#2 "P" Shank, or it's getting sent back

I was playing tuba tiger rag and the morning song earlier. Nope, not going to post a video of that. I can get the high A, but not the Bb... Yet
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Re: My monster Eb build.

Post by TheHatTuba »

Very cool build.

Forgive if I missed it, but you mentioned the valve section came from another frankenhorn of yours. What did it come from originally?
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