TubaForum.net

https://www.ebay.com/itm/127137164316

Keefer!

(sorry i am slow to chime in)

Someone had to explain to me why putting cash in an envelope labeled "keefer" might be be misleading.

I still really like Optimus Prime (my first proper helicon hence the prime, and well, model name is in fact optimus) of of craigslist, and still my default answer for favorite tuba.

This was made in Williamsport, PA...not too long after Keefer took over from Henry Distin. I have a 1906 Distin 3v Euphonium which was made at the same factory.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to what those weird looking “blobs” are on the bell in the 2nd photo?

Yorkboy wrote: Fri May 30, 2025 11:52 am Does anyone have any thoughts as to what those weird looking “blobs” are on the bell in the 2nd photo?

Were I forced to take a wild guess, I believe I would guess those are the remaining traces of one of these:

Yorkboy wrote: Fri May 30, 2025 11:52 am Does anyone have any thoughts as to what those weird looking “blobs” are on the bell in the 2nd photo?

I don't know. It matches the plating pretty well? And if it dribbled onto the tuba surface like bird droppings or guano, it was flat on its front, didn't get a chance to spread out.

I am too lazy to pester the seller for a picture down the bell to see if there are matching impediments on the inside, but that is the direction my curiosity goes...

I thought so too - if those are dents, they look like they are coming from the inside out…..?

Tuba players are paying extra for factory ugly instrument finishes and even ugly-ass finishes on mouthpieces, yet they're worried about this...and it ain't even theirs.

Yorkboy wrote: Sat May 31, 2025 7:39 am I thought so too - if those are dents, they look like they are coming from the inside out…..?

They don't really look like dents... more like bubbles in the plating? But i'm not sure that is a thing... But that is why i thought to ask about an inside picture...

And as to wondering, i have this thing called insatiable curiosity (or 'satiable curtiosity, if you are Kipling fan) and i suppose odd tubas bring that out of.

I will mention that the picture with the valve serial number also answers the question of high, low, jack, and the game (aka pitch)

What other things should i be curious about?

It's honestly hard (for me) to tell exactly what finish this ancient tuba has. Kinda looks old satin silver with caked on crud and oxidation, but maybe some areas are worn to bare brass and some plating bubbling? I dunno.

I know that bloke plans on buying it and fixing it up for me nice. How kind!

I don’t see no cloisonné finger buttons…

arpthark wrote: Sat May 31, 2025 6:47 pm I don’t see no cloisonné finger buttons…

Too bad. The first ones I've recorded were 1918.

This ended/sold for just over $935.

Anyone here get it?