Posted by Leland on September 25, 2000 at 20:08:54:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Contra tubas? posted by Dave on September 25, 2000 at 17:59:24:
Was it a contra bugle in GG, or a concert pitch tuba? I would guess that it was a tuba, since you didn't mention anything about a single piston/single rotor configuration (talk about nonstandard equipment!).
Honestly, there are so many 3/4 and smaller MT's out there, I wouldn't have a clue which one yours was. Nearly every large-scale manufacturer has built a model at one time or another. Conn had a really interesting one that was carried on the right shoulder, with a front-action valveset that was played by the right hand. The valve slides were switched around for marching, making the valve closest to the bell the 4th valve (pressed by the pinky), and the valve towards the back the 1st valve (pressed by the index finger).
Was it any good? Nope. If I was ever able to chain a tuba to the back bumper of a pickup truck and fly down a minimum maintenance road, this would be a candidate.