Alexander 163 5 valve CC
Posted: Fri May 02, 2025 4:31 pm
For sale is an Alexander 163 in CC with a 2 step 5th valve. This is a great playing tuba- it got me through Interlochen and into a good performance major program, but life got in the way and I haven't had many opportunities to play over the past decade.
It has the great Alex sound everyone loves and is pretty easy to play. I usually played D's and G's 1+3 and tuned the 4th valve so that Db and F# below the staff are perfectly in tune with 2+4. I used the 5th valve for low E 5+1+3, Eb 5+2+4, and Db 5+2+3+4. This tuba does have a main tuning slide trigger- it can be played in tune with standard C fingerings using this, but I preferred alternate fingerings. It has a European style large shank mouthpiece receiver, but I've always played it with an American shank mouthpiece. It plays really well with both deep and shallow cup mouthpieces, but the sound changes dramatically. Low range is great- I could play as loud as I wanted without the tone getting harsh. High range is great- Bydlo is as easy on this tuba as an F tuba.
This tuba was recently worked over by Joe Sellmansberger and is in good mechanical shape. I had him tighten up the rotor tolerance and repair some old dents and cracks.
Tuba will come with a Miraphone gig bag. I believe I have the original Alexander hard case with crocodile skin, but I will have to look for it and it needs restoration.
Price is $5500. I strongly prefer cash, but might consider a wire or a cashier's check printed in my presence. I am willing to drive a reasonable distance to meet a buyer, but if you come to me I can accommodate a trial session. Tuba is located in Columbus, MS.
Here's a recording of me playing this tuba in Maslanka 4- I played all the low octaves:
Contact me at porterm235(at)gmail.com PM's aren't working for me right now.
Pictures are below:
It has the great Alex sound everyone loves and is pretty easy to play. I usually played D's and G's 1+3 and tuned the 4th valve so that Db and F# below the staff are perfectly in tune with 2+4. I used the 5th valve for low E 5+1+3, Eb 5+2+4, and Db 5+2+3+4. This tuba does have a main tuning slide trigger- it can be played in tune with standard C fingerings using this, but I preferred alternate fingerings. It has a European style large shank mouthpiece receiver, but I've always played it with an American shank mouthpiece. It plays really well with both deep and shallow cup mouthpieces, but the sound changes dramatically. Low range is great- I could play as loud as I wanted without the tone getting harsh. High range is great- Bydlo is as easy on this tuba as an F tuba.
This tuba was recently worked over by Joe Sellmansberger and is in good mechanical shape. I had him tighten up the rotor tolerance and repair some old dents and cracks.
Tuba will come with a Miraphone gig bag. I believe I have the original Alexander hard case with crocodile skin, but I will have to look for it and it needs restoration.
Price is $5500. I strongly prefer cash, but might consider a wire or a cashier's check printed in my presence. I am willing to drive a reasonable distance to meet a buyer, but if you come to me I can accommodate a trial session. Tuba is located in Columbus, MS.
Here's a recording of me playing this tuba in Maslanka 4- I played all the low octaves:
Contact me at porterm235(at)gmail.com PM's aren't working for me right now.
Pictures are below: