Tuba. Nominal pitch: F.
2
InstrumentBass tuba |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerJ Higham |
Place MadeUnited Kingdom; Europe; England |
Date MadeCirca 1904 |
Description5 valves, Barlow model. Technical description: Brass. `Barlow model', the normal British 5-valve tuning arrangement, the 4th valve lowers by 5 semitones, the 5th valve by 1 semitone.4th and fifth tuned wide for use in combination. Five uncompensated valves give scope for choice of valve combinations to produce the whole compass with acceptable intonation. With two water-keys. Valve type: 5 Périnet valves. Repair History: The mouthpipe was replaced by previous owner by one of the same length but with a wider bore, original retained with instrument. Overall size: 707; bell 300. Sounding length: minimum 3635. Bore: original mouthpipe at c 40mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 11.6; replacement mouthpipe at c 35mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 12.5. Bore of m.t.s. at c 272mm from mouthpiece receiver, tuning slide bore 13.7; m.t.s. at c 417mm from mouthpiece receiver, tuning slide bore 15.6; centre of 3 valve cluster at c 668 from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (1,2,3) 15.8, centre of 2 valve cluster at c 884mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (4) 17.0, v.t.s. bore (5) 18.6; 1818mm from bell end, c 31.5; c 1166mm from bell end, 44.5; 23mm from bell end, 200.5. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. of original mouthpipe 12.9 - 12.1; of replacement mouthpipe 13.9 - 12.9. B = 0.40 (original mouthpipe); B = 0.42 (replacement mouthpipe). Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. of original mouthpipe 12.9 - 12.1; m.r.t. of replacement mouthpipe 13.9 - 12.9. Inscribed on bell with embossed circular plaque with lion and unicorn motif / "PATENT / CLEAR BORE / CLASS / A / EXHIBITION / PRIZE MEDALS / AWARDED / TO / J. HIGHAM LTD / MAKERS / 127. STRANGEWAYS / MANCHESTER / ENGLAND / 56157"; on side of 2nd valve "F / 53"; on side of 4th valve "J HIGHAM LTD / MAKERS / MANCHESTER"; on side of 5th valve "F / 2". General usage of type: The F tuba was the customary model used in British orchestras until the 1950s. The sound would complement 3 narrow bore trombones. Usable pitch: Plays c 20 cents flat at A4 = 440 Hz. Performance characteristics: Strong clear sound. Pedal notes good down to G0. Purchased by lender with and possibly formerly used with mouthpiece (2132). Specific literature references: Bevan 2000, pp.378, 384. Illustration references: Bevan 2000, p.379; World Wide Web picture at http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/ Specific usage history: Possibly Harry Barlow's first model: he took up his appointment as the Hallé Orchestra tubist in 1894 and may have commissioned this instrument from the most prominent maker in Manchester. Latterly converted to Eb and used by Salford Youth Orchestra (1966 68). |
Other InformationGeneral usage of type: The F tuba was the customary model used in British orchestras until the 1950s. The sound would complement 3 narrow-bore trombones. Specific usage history: Possibly Harry Barlow's first model: he took up his appointment as the Hallé Orchestra tubist in 1894 and may have commissioned this instrument from the most prominent maker in Manchester. Latterly converted to E♭ and used by Salford Youth Orchestra (1966-68). |
NotesR. Parks, 1.12.90, 19.2.94, 11.12.99; A. Myers, bore 31.5.93, 11.12.99, 8.1.00; C. Bevan, 1.12.90. |
Measurements707; bell 300. |
Provenanceex- Sandy Blair collection.; on loan to the Collection. |
CollectionMIMEd |
Accession Number2131 |