J. Altrichter BBb Tuba – Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany

Extremely rare BBb concert tuba from the legendary J. Altrichter Hof-Instrumenten-Fabrik in Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany. Over a century old, this brass tuba has survived in beautiful playable condition with its original mouthpiece and rotary valves. It is a genuine museum-level German instrument, ideal for serious collectors, brass enthusiasts and historical orchestras. Carefully study the photos – this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own an authentic Altrichter tuba.

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Maker and history

J. Altrichter (Ferdinand Julius Hermann Altrichter) ran a renowned Hof-Instrumenten-Fabrik in Frankfurt an der Oder from the late 19th to the early 20th century. The workshop built mainly brass and woodwind instruments and also employed violin makers for high-end string instruments. Surviving labels and engravings describe the firm as one of the largest instrument factories in Germany and as a court supplier to Prussian royalty, which explains the exceptional build quality and elegant proportions of this tuba.

Highlights

• Original J. Altrichter BBb tuba from late 19th – early 20th century Germany.
• Hand-built brass body with engraved Frankfurt an der Oder maker mark.
• Three rotary valves work freely; the instrument is playable and mechanically sound.
• Original mouthpiece included, matching the character of the instrument.
• Remarkably well preserved for its age – ideal for collection, display or careful use.
• Beautiful natural patina that underlines the historic character of the tuba.

Condition

• Excellent vintage condition for an instrument of this age.
• All three rotary valves move, springs and linkages function properly.
• Two minor cosmetic issues are clearly shown in the photos: a small crack and the absence of two valve inserts. Both are simple jobs for a professional brass technician.
• No signs of amateur repairs or heavy modern polishing – the patina looks honest and authentic.
• Please view all photos carefully; they are part of the description.

Specifications

• Maker: J. Altrichter, Hof-Instrumenten-Fabrik.
• City: Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany.
• Period: Late 19th – early 20th century.
• Type: BBb concert tuba (approximate classification based on proportions).
• Valves: 3 rotary valves.
• Material: Brass, natural aged finish.
• Mouthpiece: Original, included.
• Condition: Vintage, playable; minor cosmetic issues as described.
• Weight: approx. 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lb).
• Length: approx. 74 cm (about 29.1 in).

Shipping

• Ships worldwide from Ukraine via Ukrposhta International.
• Estimated delivery time: 12–21 days to most destinations.
• The tuba will be packed in reinforced materials with extra padding and double boxing where possible.
• Tracking number is provided after dispatch.

Returns and customs policy

• No routine returns or exchanges. The tuba is sold as a vintage collectible, as is.
• In the rare case when a return is required under eBay rules, the buyer is fully responsible for:
  • All costs of professional packing and return shipping;
  • All transportation risks during the return shipment;
  • All customs duties, taxes and import fees on the way to the buyer and back to the seller;
  • Any additional carrier fees or storage charges.
• A refund (if applicable under eBay rules) is issued only after the instrument is received back, inspected by us, and confirmed to be in exactly the same original condition as before shipping.
• The buyer pays all customs duties, VAT, taxes and import fees in the country of destination. Customs delays are possible; the seller is not responsible for customs processing times or extra charges.
• Please read the store policies carefully before purchasing.

Collector and restoration notice

• This tuba is more than 100 years old and is considered a collectible artifact.
• Any cleaning, polishing, repair or restoration should be done only by a qualified brass specialist and is entirely at the buyer’s expense and risk.
• No warranty is given for modern concert use; the instrument is offered primarily for collection, museum display, studio decor or gentle historical performance.

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