Posted by Frank Rosenau on October 14, 2000 at 00:43:55:
In Reply to: Worst tuba ever made? posted by Leland on October 12, 2000 at 00:02:59:
I was one of 3 tubists selected for the International Music Camp first European tour in 1962. Conn (of Elkhart) furnished all the instruments for the gig. I was pretty happy with this since I had played a 20J at high school. We got 1 20J and 2 of their brand new first-on-the-market fiberglass sousaphones. Since I was second chair I got stuck with one the plastic monstrosities for 6 weeks. I had no real idea of the concept of completely and hopelessly untunable until then. By the time we got to Amsterdam I was ready to chuck it into the nearest canal. However the frustration of trying to find a single centered note on the (AT)##(AT) thing did lead me to the discovery that the Belgians make some REALLY good pilsner beer, so it wasn't all that bad an experience overall. But to this day I break out in a cold sweat whenever I see white fiberglass.