Alexander 163 CC Tuba – $11,250.00
1950 Alexander 163 CC tuba, .810″ bore, 16.5″ upright bell, 26.25 recording bell.
This is one of the more unusual instruments to ever visit the shop. The original owner was a student of Abe Torchinsky, who traveled to West Germany in 1950. Mr. Torchinsky told the student “go to Mainz while you’re there, and have Alexander build a tuba for you.” For Mr. Burchuk, they built a 4+1 rose brass and nickel silver wonder, whose valves are still in wonderful condition 75 years later. The 5th has been converted to right-hand operation, but the original left-hand parts are included, so it can be restored to original if desired. The upright bell is typical Alexander with a dark, focused sound. The swan-necked recording bell is extremely resonant, with a very colorful sound that has to be heard to be believed. This Alexander comes with the original body and recording bell cases, and a gig bag for transporting the tuba in upright bell mode. The original upright bell case was lost in a flood. Also included is the original solid nickel-silver Alexander mouthpiece. Since you asked, the intonation and response are impeccable. Included is a copy of a photo of Mr. Torchinsky playing this Alexander with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1961. This is a fully serviced instrument that has been played professionally since new……$11,250.00
C. G. Conn Ltd. 26J/27J BBb Recording Bass – $7,500.00
C.G. Conn Ltd. 26J/27J BBb Recording Bass, serial # 307818, four front short action .770″ bore valves, 24″ upright bell diameter, 24″ recording bell diameter, lacquered, body case and two bell cases.
This tuba, manufactured in Dec. 1935, is as rare as moon rocks and unicorns. This is only the second on I’ve encountered in my 50 years of playing tubas. As a customer said this week, this tuba plays with more agility and finesse than one could expect from a tuba this size. Still, it will play at full volume with no danger of the tone breaking up. The 26/26J plays substantially better than any top-piston 2xJ I’ve ever played. For the Conn 6/4 enthusiast, this is the full package, with cases for both bells, and a 25J body case where I re-arranged the accessory box and padding as a mirror image so that the front-valve body fits perfectly. This tuba does not require a mouthpipe bit. Intonation, response, and tone color will not disappoint. Will ship if necessary…………..$7,500.00
C. G. Conn Connstellation 25-I Euphonium – $2,250.00
C.G. Conn Connstellation 25-I euphonium, serial # E24413, four ~.555″ bore valves, 11 3/4″ bell diameter, 29″ tall.
Made by Conn in Elkhart, IN in 1964, this model had a main tuning slide tuning trigger decades before anyone else. The mouthpiece receiver accepts the special Conn-Remington shank size, between the size of Euro & bass trombone shanks. This euphonium comes with a nice Conn 5, and a Perantucci PT-3B. I played this instrument on a concert last week, and was impressed by the tone quality and agility, and projection of sound it offers. Offered with a roomy hard case and new K & M stand, I think someone is going to love owning and playing this euphonium. . . . . $2,250.00