A couple E-flats are available now from Ukraine, one for $400 + shipping and another for $800. Good seller reviews, seems legit. I can't imagine how these play. I saw someone got a big fat BBb helicon from one of these sellers a few months ago.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155644394002?m ... media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175787929577?m ... media=COPY
USSR helicons
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arpthark
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donn
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Re: USSR helicons
I've heard of satisfactory results with the big BBb versions. That doesn't guarantee success, though, and it sure doesn't guarantee an Eb will easily play in tune.
Helicons are fun if they fit you, but that isn't guaranteed either. Unlike American helicons made with sousaphone parts, the European version has no adapter bits, so your mouth had better be located somewhere along the curve whose plane is defined by the leadpipe and axis is defined by the next joint. The Eb instrument is a rather tight loop, and the valves are going to hang fairly high, leading to what may be an uncomfortable wrist angle. That's what got me my Eb Lignatone/Amati - previous owner couldn't hack the wrist angle. I didn't have a problem with it, being of a relatively flexible nature, and the following owner likewise seemed to have no problem.
Helicons are fun if they fit you, but that isn't guaranteed either. Unlike American helicons made with sousaphone parts, the European version has no adapter bits, so your mouth had better be located somewhere along the curve whose plane is defined by the leadpipe and axis is defined by the next joint. The Eb instrument is a rather tight loop, and the valves are going to hang fairly high, leading to what may be an uncomfortable wrist angle. That's what got me my Eb Lignatone/Amati - previous owner couldn't hack the wrist angle. I didn't have a problem with it, being of a relatively flexible nature, and the following owner likewise seemed to have no problem.