Tuba Tuesday: Mahillion, “French Tuba”, C tuba, 6 pistons, ca.1955

[bisontuba]

Happy Tuba Tuesday. Today, the Museum features a Mahillion, “French Tuba”, C tuba, 6 pistons, ca.1955.

Bell Diameter 11 3/8”, Bore Size .600″,1-4; .627″,5-6 Height 20.75”.

Comments:

“W.E. SEAR / NEW-YORK / 360 / C. MAHILLON / BRUSSELS / BELGIUM / SINCE 1836 / 1 / * ” on bell. “MAHILLON” on 2nd valve. No serial number could be located on body of instrument.




https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... 6-pistons/

[arpthark]

Isn't that technically a "Belgian C Tuba"?

Interesting that Walter Sear was importing these along with the other Mahillon and Des Prins (more Belgian) stuff.

[humBell]

Isn't that technically a "Belgian C Tuba"?

Interesting that Walter Sear was importing these along with the other Mahillon and Des Prins (more Belgian) stuff.

"Technically correct... the best kind of correct."

But i suppose horns are still french or english independent where they come from. As are fries.

This tuba came from the same place as the sprouts come from, eh. They too pack some punch for their size.

De Prins are also fun instruments in my small tuba view.

[arpthark]

I can trace my familial lineage back to Antwerp, Belgium in the ca. 1550s. I feel obligated to try a Belgian tuba at some point in my life.

[UncleBeer]

Isn't that technically a "Belgian C Tuba"?

Complicated. Belgium is really split in half: northern region Flanders 'identifies more with their Dutch neighbors to the north, and southerners (Walloons) identify with their French neighbors to the south. Lots of history and changing of nationalities in the course of centuries.

Mahillon was based in Brussels, where 90% of residents speak French.

[arpthark]

On pourrait peut-être l'appeler un "tuba wallon."

edit: an interesting read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francization_of_Brussels

[bort2.0]

Moderately interesting short story:

Vince told me that Carol Jantch was preparing to play Pictures at an Exhibition in Philadelphia, and she contacted him about borrowing this instrument for the performance. He said yes, but only if she'd give him 2 tix to come see the performance. Both things happened.

[bloke]

In the past, I had a (stinky tuning) "single" B-flat (3-valve Mahillon) tuba (oversized out-of-tune euphonium, with it's goofy/oem tuba mouthpiece).

Of course, it was nickel plated.

Someone gave it to me...I can't remember what I did with it (re-gifted ??)

bloke "a wall-hanger - as far as usefulness, and I'm not any sort of collector"

[Jim Williams]

When I was working for Walter Sear in 1968 through 1970, a few of these passed through his then-warehouse and office at 784 6th Avenue in NYC.

People actually bought them.

In my capacity as part-time unboxer of shipments and remover of packing peanuts from instruments, I had the chance to play a couple of them--universally odd.

I remember that Morris Edwards had one and could actually make it work. I believe he used a dePrins mouthpiece--can't recall for sure. The ones I played and the one he had used regular tuba mouthpieces.

These aren't the only memories I have of those days...fun times pulling patches, etc. at the studio in the Great Northern Hotel...

[UncleBeer]

When I was working for Walter Sear in 1968 through 1970

I'd no idea you'd worked for Walter! Must have been 'interesting'. Yeah, the Mahillons were not great horns, but that's what he could import, and there seemed to be a market.

[Jim Williams]

Yes, @UncleBeer it was indeed interesting. I started taking lessons from him in HS. When he found out I was an avid amateur radio operator and knew my way around tube-based gear, he allowed me to work with some of the equipment in the studio. I paid for lessons by working at the warehouse and sometimes at the studio.
After I graduated from HS, I wanted to take a year off and played frequently at Your Father's Mustache and the Red Garter while continuing with Walter. A couple of courses at Mannes showed me that I didn't have what it took to do music full-time.
I was first-chair tuba in the NJ All-State Band in 1969 under the baton of Frederick Fennell. I was going to attach a picture from 1969 of me playing my Mahillon BBb, but it's too big to attach
Fun days those were...though my career took me in other directions, I never stopped playing. I sold my tubas when I went to Scheveningen and changed permanently to euphonium upon my return to IU in 1976, studying with Harvey. I'm still on the board of the foundation he started in the '70s.
Speaking of Flemings vs. Walloons, when I would ride the train to Belgium, the signs at Luik were crossed out and replaced with Liege...then Liege was crossed out and replaced with Luik, enz.