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I know the King “Pit” Tuba comes up a few times a year, but I thought I’d share the instrument that spent a few days with me for some spa treatment.

At one time it belonged to Dr. Richards in the PNW, was passed to Spellman of San Francisco, and now has been passed along to the Tubist of the Sacramento Phillharmonic.

The instrument is GORGEOUS, with a factory relacquer done sometime in the 60’s. Made in 1933.

Unfortunately the rotors have some significant wear that will need to be addressed at a later date (it’s summer, way too many school horns to get to), but it was given a bath, full valve alignment, and restring to keep it playing.



How many other “Pit” horns are lurking on this forum?

I think these are rally cool.

But, I question how easy they are to maneuver is a crowed pit.

Mark wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 5:51 pm I think these are rally cool.

But, I question how easy they are to maneuver is a crowed pit.

They’re not. That stand has some wide feet!

You probably are already aware of this but just in case you didn't know, these horns came in two bore sizes. .687, and .750. Alan Jaffe (Preservation Hall) had one that he let me play and it was very good. I don't know what the bore size was. It' my understanding that these were intended for string bass doublers.. Playing standing up. So going back and forth was really easy. Actually, they are something of a stretched out Monster bass(the rotary horn) and played very similarly. That's all I got. Ed