Greetings! For your consideration I offer this antique helicon bass tuba in low-pitch BB-flat. (Low pitch is A=440vps.) This instrument is typical of the kind used by European military and civilian bands between the World Wars. I'm guessing it dates to circa 1925 or so. It has 3 clockspring rotary valves. There is no maker imprint, so I assume it's a European import, probably from Germany or Czechoslovakia, possibly by Cerveny. Overall length is 45", bell diameter is 17", bore size is about .700" at the valve block. The bell throat is huge--you could conceal a small child or medium-size dog in this horn. Construction is yellow brass throughout. It has been used by the owner in a community band.
The owner is selling this and many other instruments and donating the money to replace a church organ that was destroyed in an arson fire.
CONDITION: This instrument is in good physical condition for a 100-year-old horn, and is quite playable. The valves do have some leakage, but not so bad that it seriously affects the playability. The clocksprings for valves 2 and 3 are a bit weak and might benefit from being adjusted or replaced, although the instrument is playable as-is. There are a numerous small dents and dings here and there, and a couple patches. It is sold AS-IS with no warranties. See pictures.
PLAYING QUALITIES: It seems to play decently, however I'm BY NO MEANS a tuba player. The gigantic bell throat and large .700" bore give it a huge sound compared to most helicons of the era. NOTE that I make no representations made about its suitability for your intended use. WYSIWYG.
ACCESSORIES: No case, mouthpiece, bits, or other accessories. You'll have to supply those. It takes an American standard-shank tuba mouthpiece, so bits will be easy enough to find. See pictures; WYSIWYG.
SHIPPING: Because of the large size and weight, I will not ship this item. LOCAL PICKUP ONLY. BUYER IS WELCOME TO PAY UPON PICKUP.
NOTE: I will sell only to the final recipient/end user. I WILL NOT sell to 3rd-Party buyers/reshippers such as SEKAIMON or US-BUYER. NO EXCEPTIONS. 3rd Party buyers/reshippers will have their bids cancelled and their user IDs blocked.
THE STRAIGHT DOPE: This early 20th Century BBb helicon tuba is playable and would be a great addition to any antique brass instrument collection or brass band. All sales FINAL unless I determine that I significantly misrepresented it. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the instrument itself. Thanks for looking and good luck bidding!
I do my utmost to honestly and accurately describe and picture my items. The pics tell the story. E-mail me with questions prior to auction close, I'll gladly answer. If you want to phone, email me for my number. All you nice honest folks out there, thanks for looking! Happy Bidding and Good Luck!
PLEASE NOTE: An eBayer has suggested that this instrument may have been built in Russia or one of its satellite countries in Eastern Europe, which is quite possible; and that it may be a bit newer than I indicate, although I still think it is early 20th-century. I have found no markings whatsoever on it, in Cyrillic or otherwise, except for hash marks on the valve bearing plates indicating which valve they belong to.