Posted by Mark Heter on June 25, 2003 at 21:36:51:
In Reply to: Martin Handicraft tuba posted by Andy Grappy on June 25, 2003 at 15:47:58:
For rhythm section work, and concert band, there is nothing finer. The Marine Band had a section of them until they couldn't be rebuilt anymore. So did the Navy Band, etc. I used one on the Ringling circus band (still have it, too), as had Johnny Evans (the dean of the circus tuba players) for many years. I actually like the three-valve models better than the four-valves. Much more efficient use of your breath in terms of actual sound produced than any other large tuba I know of. The next time King Kong is on, listen for the tuba - it's a Martin. The horn dominates like crazy on the soundtrack. More tuba!
Leblanc owns the designs and tools for these horns, and can't (won't) make them.
The upright bells for these are rare as hens teeth. Mine is a bellfront, and most of them were made that way. The upright bell is actually quite smaller.
Hope you're getting AFM sidelining scale - the Extra pay is somewhat less!