Posted by Britbass on February 27, 2003 at 05:26:54:
In Reply to: an unusual tuba posted by Art H on February 27, 2003 at 01:01:59:
Art,
I have an almost identical tuba myself. They are commonly referred to as 'cavalry' tubas in Britain, Cliff Bevan tells us that some of the British guards regiments ordered these front action tubas from Hawkes and Boosey for their mounted bands, hence 'cavalry'.
My own Hawkes 'Emperor' is quite a large Eb, often mistaken for a Bb. The bell is 15 inches, and the finish is silver plate. The tuba is non-compensated, with a bore similar to a modern day Besson. It plays rather well for it's age (1919), and has been used in a number of Christmas carol concerts and a massed tuba ensemble since I obtained it about a year ago.
It is not particularly comfortable to play sitting down, but works very well when standing using a strap (there are carrying rings attached). If these instruments were ever played on horseback, I think they would have been held at quite a 'flat' angle to be comfortable for the player.
I had seen very few of these instruments until I decided to try and get hold of one, when I saw two (one 3 valve and my own 4 valve) within a month. I do think they are quite rare though. Incidentally, when I was at school we had a Hawkes 'Emperor', a very similar tuba, possibly the same body but with a top action 3 valve set-up.
I recommend Cliff Bevans book (The Tuba Family) for more information, and a photo of Jim Anderson with another example. I think there may also still be a photo of yet another on Steve Sykes' web site (http://www.sykotuba.dircon.co.uk/). My cavalry tuba was sourced for me by Mark Carter at Mr. Tuba in Wales, UK (http://www.netupandgo.com/mrtuba/).
Hope this helps!