Early Eb Contrabass (Tuba) by Isaac Fiske
Isaac Fiske is known to have gone into business
making brass instruments in Worcester, Mass. in 1842
and quickly gained a very good reputation for making
keyed bugles, post horns and cornets. For a more
complete history of Fiske see Robert Eliason's "Early
American Brass Makers". There is no evidence that
he made any bass or contrabass instruments until the
mid-1850s which is likely when this example was
made. Judging from the many extant instruments
made in his shop, one could easily conclude that Fiske
never made a second rate instrument and that is just
the evidence that makes me guess that this tuba is his
first design. Even though it compares well with other
instruments made during these early years, he went on
to make superior Eb contrabass tubas with much
better acoustics than this one. By the time that he
published his 1862 catalogue, Fiske was making three
different size or "calibre" Eb contrabasses as well as a
bass in Ab and four sizes of tenor/baritone/bass in Bb.
All but the smallest tenor horn were available with four
valves. The low brass player was in a very fortunate
position if he was able to afford a Fiske.
Fiske's earliest rotary valve instruments all seem to
have top action levers as seen here, but his 1868
catalog illustrates either side action levers or top action
push rods that he called "key pistons". This
instruments is made of German silver, is 45 1/2" tall
with a bell rim diameter of 11 1/2" and bore measuring
.588".
making brass instruments in Worcester, Mass. in 1842
and quickly gained a very good reputation for making
keyed bugles, post horns and cornets. For a more
complete history of Fiske see Robert Eliason's "Early
American Brass Makers". There is no evidence that
he made any bass or contrabass instruments until the
mid-1850s which is likely when this example was
made. Judging from the many extant instruments
made in his shop, one could easily conclude that Fiske
never made a second rate instrument and that is just
the evidence that makes me guess that this tuba is his
first design. Even though it compares well with other
instruments made during these early years, he went on
to make superior Eb contrabass tubas with much
better acoustics than this one. By the time that he
published his 1862 catalogue, Fiske was making three
different size or "calibre" Eb contrabasses as well as a
bass in Ab and four sizes of tenor/baritone/bass in Bb.
All but the smallest tenor horn were available with four
valves. The low brass player was in a very fortunate
position if he was able to afford a Fiske.
Fiske's earliest rotary valve instruments all seem to
have top action levers as seen here, but his 1868
catalog illustrates either side action levers or top action
push rods that he called "key pistons". This
instruments is made of German silver, is 45 1/2" tall
with a bell rim diameter of 11 1/2" and bore measuring
.588".
Click on image for larger view.