Page 1 of 1
Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 11:50 am
by austincomerf95
Hi All,
I'm trying to help a friend identify a horn, but my searches online haven't yielded results as of yet.
Anybody know what this is?
Pictures:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing
Pitched in Eb
Bell reads:
Meinl-Weston
A Division of Getzen
Leadpipe says "Made in Germany"
Many thanks for any assistance!
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:28 pm
by arpthark
I am also having trouble finding a contemporary Meinl-Weston/Melton catalog from the 1970s/80s. If I had to bet, I'd say this was MW's answer to the Miraphone 183. Engraving looks 1970s-ish, to me. Looks kinda like an Eb version of the Meinl-Weston 45 F tuba. Nice kranz.
USA did not recognize East Germany until 1974, so if the tuba was made before then, perhaps that can explain "Made in Germany" instead of "Made in W. Germany" on the leadpipe stamp.
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:39 pm
by DonO.
I believe it is close to a Meinl Weston 2040. Although the model number may have been different back in the day. I would further guess that it’s late 60’s/early to mid 70’s based on the “S” linkage. It looks to be in good shape, and these are on the rare side, so if it came up for sale I’m pretty sure it would be snapped up quickly. Although the 5 valve version is more desirable.
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:49 pm
by arpthark
DonO. wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:39 pm
I believe it is a Meinl Weston 2040. I would further guess that it’s late 60’s/early to mid 70’s based on the “S” linkage. It looks to be in good shape, and these are on the rare side, so if it came up for sale I’m pretty sure it would be snapped up quickly. Although the 5 valve version is more desirable.
The 2040 has a much broader body/bell, similar to the 45-SLZ (6/4 size F tuba), vertical main tuning slide, 5 valves, large bore, bugle wrap has a loop in the back (similar to a Besson 983 body shape). This one seems to be much narrower/smaller, with the horizontal main tuning slide, no back loop, etc.
You could maybe say this is a precursor to the 2040, but this seems contemporaneous, design-wise, with the MW 25/20 BBb, 45/46 F, 37 CC, etc. My money is on a two-digit model number!
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 1:43 pm
by DonO.
arpthark wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:49 pm
DonO. wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:39 pm
I believe it is a Meinl Weston 2040. I would further guess that it’s late 60’s/early to mid 70’s based on the “S” linkage. It looks to be in good shape, and these are on the rare side, so if it came up for sale I’m pretty sure it would be snapped up quickly. Although the 5 valve version is more desirable.
The 2040 has a much broader body/bell, similar to the 45-SLZ (6/4 size F tuba), vertical main tuning slide, 5 valves, large bore, bugle wrap has a loop in the back (similar to a Besson 983 body shape). This one seems to be much narrower/smaller, with the horizontal main tuning slide, no back loop, etc.
You could maybe say this is a precursor to the 2040, but this seems contemporaneous, design-wise, with the MW 25/20 BBb, 45/46 F, 37 CC, etc. My money is on a two-digit model number!
Yes, I agree it’s probably a 2 digit number. Maybe it’s like the 45/46 with a bit of extra length? I wish someone had a 1970’s MW catalog! I had one a very long time ago, but that’s been long gone. Don’t you agree that an Eb MW of any sort is a rarity in the US?
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 1:44 pm
by arpthark
DonO. wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2024 1:43 pm
arpthark wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:49 pm
DonO. wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2024 12:39 pm
I believe it is a Meinl Weston 2040. I would further guess that it’s late 60’s/early to mid 70’s based on the “S” linkage. It looks to be in good shape, and these are on the rare side, so if it came up for sale I’m pretty sure it would be snapped up quickly. Although the 5 valve version is more desirable.
The 2040 has a much broader body/bell, similar to the 45-SLZ (6/4 size F tuba), vertical main tuning slide, 5 valves, large bore, bugle wrap has a loop in the back (similar to a Besson 983 body shape). This one seems to be much narrower/smaller, with the horizontal main tuning slide, no back loop, etc.
You could maybe say this is a precursor to the 2040, but this seems contemporaneous, design-wise, with the MW 25/20 BBb, 45/46 F, 37 CC, etc. My money is on a two-digit model number!
Yes, I agree it’s probably a 2 digit number. Maybe it’s like the 45/46 with a bit of extra length? I wish someone had a 1970’s MW catalog! I had one a very long time ago, but that’s been long gone. Don’t you agree that an Eb MW of any sort is a rarity in the US?
Yes, I have only seen a handful of 2141s, and one 2040.
It reminds me of the Miraphone 183 -- not quite sure what niche that was filling, as Eb tubas were on their way out in the 60s when Miraphone began importing into the USA.
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 1:50 pm
by Matt Walters
That looks like the Meinl Weston Model 40 Eb tuba. 15" upright bell, 39" tall and .690" bore
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 2:17 pm
by bisontuba
Re: Need help to ID Meinl Weston
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 3:03 pm
by austincomerf95
Wow, that was quick! Thank you all for the info!