Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

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bisontuba
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Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by bisontuba »

This Tuba Tuesday the Museum features an upright 3 valve Eb tuba marked Thompson and Odell, c. 1884-1900.

ImageIMG_3188 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129235491@N05/]

SUPERIOR 1st CLASS / MADE EXPRESSLY / FOR THOMPSON & ODELL / BOSTON” on side of bell. One waterkey on main tuning slide. Threaded drains on all 3 valve slides and instrument bottom bow.

From Horn-U-Copia: “Thompson and Odell were in business from 1874-1900 as a music store and publishing business.

The Standard Band Instrument Company was started in 1884 by Thompson & Odell as the Brasswind branch using stock and equipment previously owned by Quinby.

Their publishing business was bought out by Fischer in 1900, and the instrument production was bought out by Vega in 1909.

Only a few of the instrument they made were labeled Thompson and Odell. Most were Standard Band Instrument Co.”

https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... -3-piston/
Last edited by bisontuba on Sun Nov 02, 2025 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by humBell »

What are the "threaded drains" mentioned in the description?
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Re: Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by bisontuba »

humBell wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:29 pm What are the "threaded drains" mentioned in the description?
Hi-
Not a clue...a perfect question to ask Vince about ...let us know what you find out...
Cheers-
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Re: Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by iiipopes »

humBell wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:29 pm What are the "threaded drains" mentioned in the description?
Guess: bottom valve caps?
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Re: Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by windshieldbug »

humBell wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:29 pm What are the "threaded drains" mentioned in the description?

My guess is threaded caps which covered water key-type fittings. You could unscrew the cap, let the moisture drain, then replace it.
Common at one time on the bows of trombone slides.
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Re: Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by bloke »

I've seen those on the bottoms of 3/4" bore (Grand Rapids) York valvesets...particularly front-action ones.
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Re: Tuba Tuesday: Thompson and Odell, E flat tuba, 3 piston, ca.1884-1900

Post by humBell »

windshieldbug wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:32 pm
humBell wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:29 pm What are the "threaded drains" mentioned in the description?

My guess is threaded caps which covered water key-type fittings. You could unscrew the cap, let the moisture drain, then replace it.
Common at one time on the bows of trombone slides.
Thanks for using the trombone as an example.

Every other response leaves the impression it is part of the piston, and to me at least, it wouldn't be as interesting if it were just hangin' off the piston.

I did fill out the form on the web page, and as best i can figure, it is stuck in moderation...

Which is totally fine. All the work what went into setting up the site to begin with is appreciated. I can hardly expect instant gratification, especially i'm just a nobody surfing the internet.
"All art is one." -Hal

"Kinds? There aren't any kinds. There's just music." said Kieth "There's always music, if you listen."
-Kieth (from The Amazing Maurice, by Sir Terry)
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