TubaForum.net

So...I was watching the 1952 film, The Stars and Stripes Forever with Clifton Webb and Robert Wagner...

And there I was staring at a 7 valve tuba. It sure looks to be a contrabass to me. Anyone have any idea what it is/was?

I know I sure wouldn't want to have to bend a replacement lead pipe for it!

Interesting.

Kruspe made a 7-rotor tuba around the 1920s. I once could try one, but with a smaller bell. They are full double tubas in F/Bb. The right hand has a 3 valve Bb layout, left thumb changes between F and Bb and left is playing 3 valve F. The owner loves it and plays it a lot, but he admitted you have to get used to the layout. Great for occasions where you need a bass and a contrabass without enough space to change

From Klaus’s archive…

http://yorkmaster.org/yorkmaster/photos ... index.html

If it's a Kruspe kaiser B-flat (double), I've played on a (string linkage, obviously) kaiser Kruspe 4-rotor (fixed bell).

It was around 1981 or so, it was for sale, and it was so foreign to me (and the rotors needed oil so badly) that I really didn't have a good grasp as to whether it was a great instrument or - merely - a huge instrument.

Now that's a neat tuba!

Even though it has been mentioned that they sourced the rotory valves, for their tubas, from Europe. To me though, that tuba has a striking resemblance to the King monster and pit rotary tubas. I wonder if that or that manufacturer is what King decided to base their designs on.

Name that tuba?

I name him Bob. His name is now Bob.

You are welcome.