From the early 1900s to 1993,three generations of brass instrument makers worked in the small workshop Fickert of Pausa Vogtland. This particular tuba was built by the founder, Wilhelm Fickert sometime between the 1930s to the 1950s. After Wilhelm passed in 1960, his son Siegfried continued the firm, until the untimely death in 1993 of his son, Günter, which resulted in the firm being shuttered. While it’s always sad when a firm closes its doors, Fickert managed to produce some rather fine instruments in their almost 100 year run, this tuba being a stellar example.
Pausa itself is a small town of 5400 residents. http://www.stadt-pausa-muehltroff.de/
Relatively quiet and scenic, Pausa is a pleasant place to cycle through and enjoy a good schnitzel and beer, although winters can be harsher compared to the rest of Germany. In GDR times, Pausa was a well known place for aluminium part production, but since 1990, no longer so.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pausa-M%C3%BChltroff
While it might seem unusual that a small 2 man shop could produce a complete kaiser tuba, one must also remember their close proximity to Markneukichen and Klingenthal. Both towns contained not only complete instrument makers, but more importantly, bell spinners, valve makers, small part productions etc.
Markings on the backing plate courtesy of the village blacksmith…
As a relevant aside, last November there was a wonderful exhibition of catalogues in the Markneukirchen Instrument Museum.
Within the catalogues were businesses that offered a dizzying array of bell or valve options. So long as your pockets were deep enough, there was probably someone who could make it.
and a side order of fries please
In fact, I suspect as a small instrument maker, your challenge would have been the ability to find the combination of parts that worked together harmoniously, no small feat given the wide list of options.
driver’s view
As proof of this tuba’s qualities, consider the fact that after 70+ years, it is still in professional use. Yes, it has been nicely overhauled, but other than the new nickel silver leadpipe and lacquering, the original substance and character is intact.
Playing Characteristics:
For a kaiser tuba, the Fickert doesn’t match the sonic power of its contemporary Cervenys or Bohlund&Fuchs tubas, however the intonation and response is superior to both. The feeling is more of a “kaiser F tuba”. A clear and colourful sound, but there is a decibel ceiling. The best results from the tuba were achieved with a smaller shallower mouthpiece.
nifty thumb post
W. Fickert Kaiser B-Tuba
Specs:
Height 112cm
Bell diameter: 47cm
Valve bore: 21,2mm
Body material: yellow brass with nickel silver trimmings
Brass and Pipes 