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Bass tuba (low B-flat)

This instrument is associated with the Cyfarthfa Band, one of the greatest and oldest virtuoso nineteen-century brass bands, founded in 1838 by iron magnate Robert Thompson Crawshay. It is a bass tuba with an upright bell, made of brass with nickel silver trimmings and mechanisms. It has four rotary valves with clock-spring mechanism and mechanical linkages (some elements broken and/or missing). It has one water-key located on main tuning slide. The second valve tuning slide has a pulling ring. There is also a lyre holder, two carrying strap ring plates, and a thumb holder ring plate. Nominal pitch: low B-flat.

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  • Decorative elements:Engraved valve caps and rotor screw touches.
  • Inscriptions:Engraved silver plate soldered on bell: [coat of arms of Austrian Empire] / K: und K: Hof & aus: priv: / Instrumenten Fabrik / Leopold Uhlmann / Mariahilf, Barnabitengasse 6 / IN WIEN|Engraved on bell: CYFARTHFA BAND
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:423.231.2 Valve bugles with wide bore
  • Repository:Cyfarthfa Castle Museum
  • Measurements:Length: 1039mm; Bell diameter: 305mm; Bore at mouthpiece receiver: 14.2mm; Sounding length: 5360mm