
My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
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This section is for posts that are directly related to performance, performers, or equipment. Social issues are allowed, as long as they are directly related to those categories. If you see a post that you cannot respond to with respect and courtesy, we ask that you do not respond at all.
- arpthark
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Re: My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
York Master, outdoor concert last Wednesday. Grabbed the bell on a trip and this was my first time playing it with the bell and body together!


- These users thanked the author arpthark for the post (total 5):
- Lch3 (Mon Jul 13, 2026 8:06 pm) • tubatodd (Tue Jul 14, 2026 7:32 am) • Casca Grossa (Tue Jul 14, 2026 12:22 pm) • prairieboy1 (Thu Jul 16, 2026 2:43 pm) • rodgeman (Mon Jul 20, 2026 12:44 pm)

- bort2.0
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Re: My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
Years ago... Someone in a band I played in decided to show up for a concert with a recording bell tuba, having never brought it to rehearsal before.arpthark wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2026 6:22 pm York Master, outdoor concert last Wednesday. Grabbed the bell on a trip and this was my first time playing it with the bell and body together!
The band director said "no," and that was that. He wasn't allowed to play in the concert.
- arpthark
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Re: My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
Master! Not too much of a monster -- a fairly hefty 4/4 sized tuba, but with a big bore. I like it a lot better than a recording bell King or similar. I've gone through a few of those over the years as outdoor gig tubas.
I love a recording bell outside. With this one I can hear myself pretty well.
I only ever bust out the recording bell horn for our outdoor summer series and never bring them to the rehearsals. The balance is always screwy in open-air outdoor gigs anyway. Somehow I fly under the radar and am, at the least, tolerated.bort2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2026 7:46 pm
Years ago... Someone in a band I played in decided to show up for a concert with a recording bell tuba, having never brought it to rehearsal before.
The band director said "no," and that was that. He wasn't allowed to play in the concert.
- These users thanked the author arpthark for the post (total 2):
- MN_TimTuba (Mon Jul 13, 2026 9:36 pm) • prodigal (Tue Jul 14, 2026 5:01 am)

- bort2.0
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Re: My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
These things LIVE for outdoor summer concerts. If you can handle the weight and the front-heaviness that happens so often... I say bring them every chance you get!arpthark wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2026 8:39 pm I only ever bust out the recording bell horn for our outdoor summer series and never bring them to the rehearsals. The balance is always screwy in open-air outdoor gigs anyway. Somehow I fly under the radar and am, at the least, tolerated.
- bort2.0
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- arpthark
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Re: My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
I believe the bell was restored by Lee Stofer before I got it from the previous owner, so yes, very clean. Several years ago, the seller bought a York Master with both bells from Lee and had not ever used the recording bell. I was just happy to get this headless tuba a bell so I could actually play it!

- bort2.0
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Re: My Tuba & I, Post Yours & You
I'm not sure that could have worked out much better. Congrats!arpthark wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2026 7:40 amI believe the bell was restored by Lee Stofer before I got it from the previous owner, so yes, very clean. Several years ago, the seller bought a York Master with both bells from Lee and had not ever used the recording bell. I was just happy to get this headless tuba a bell so I could actually play it!
