FS: Cool-Looking Tenor Normaphone - Like a Sax-Shaped Valve Trombone

[davewerden]

This is really neat! I'm guessing it would play like a valve trombone, but maybe a little more mellow because of the .562 bore. It is apparently copied after an older instrument, but this one is new construction. Not a bad price, either!

SOLD FOR $999

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tenor-Normap...item2ed3985f7d



Here is a video demonstration:

[tampaworth]

Very interesting instrument for sure. This seller also has a C Serpent for sale on the Bay and goes by the name of tubameister on EBay. Wonder if this is Lee Stofer as that is his "handle" so to speak. Normaphone... grins Guess I'm showing my age when this makes me think of Norm from Cheers. Betcha there are lots of younger folks these days who would say, "who?" Time marches on.....

[bbocaner]

Very interesting instrument for sure. This seller also has a C Serpent for sale on the Bay and goes by the name of tubameister on EBay. Wonder if this is Lee Stofer as that is his "handle" so to speak. Normaphone... grins Guess I'm showing my age when this makes me think of Norm from Cheers. Betcha there are lots of younger folks these days who would say, "who?" Time marches on.....

It was put together by JC Sherman, who is a professional tubist in the Cleveland, OH area. He's a really good guy and does a lot of cobbling together of things like this. Adding 4th valves to old American baritones, making modern double bell instruments, homemade bass trumpets, etc. He does nice work. He posted a video of himself playing it. Sounds like good intonation and a nice sound.

[davewerden]

I added the video demo to the original post above.

[RickF]

Oh my. Just what everyone needs... a baritone that sounds like a stuffy trombone but resembles a sax.

interesting video though. Like the idea for easy tuning.

[davewerden]

Oh my. Just what everyone needs... a baritone that sounds like a stuffy trombone but resembles a sax.

Yes, but think of the options you have! As rehearsal is about to start, for example, sit down next to the tenor sax(es) and see if anyone notices!

[RickF]

Yes, but think of the options you have! As rehearsal is about to start, for example, sit down next to the tenor sax(es) and see if anyone notices!

Ha ha. It's the perfect horn for playing T-sax cues the few times we need to.

[tampaworth]

This thread prompted me to learn of some crazy instruments in the links of the following page: http://www.robbstewart.com/Restoration/Normaphone.html
I especially like the instruments with a special piston for activating the extra "wow wow" bell on which a triggered flap substitutes for the hand.

[davewerden]

Within the video below you can hear Billy Eckstein playing one of these. He's not famous as a brass player, but it still demonstrates the cool sound. BTW, this eBay horn sold for $999!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-HgqDI0424

[FiftyFour]

i know about about 9 years late, but are you still selling these?