Posted by Jim on September 08, 2002 at 10:51:55:
In Reply to: Helicon tubas posted by Tim on September 08, 2002 at 09:04:38:
I have an old King Helicon in the key of Eb. I think it would be a difficult comparison to compare one to a modern tuba. You would have to compare it to a sousaphone. The Helicon was replaced by the Sousaphone in around the 20-30's I think because the sousaphone was a little more versatile with the removable bell making it much easier to transport and the bell could be pointed more in a forward direction or up as in the case of the rain catcher models they offered.
The comparison I can give you to my helicon and my King sousaphone is that the helicon is a really cool instrument because they are pretty rare but the sousaphone plays better. THe sousaphone has better intonation but other than that they are about the same. I think the sound on the helicon is more tuba like than a sousaphone like. Cerveny used to offer Helicons in BBb Eb and F but I have only seen pictures of them.
-Jim