Often the ‘first’ chorus reed of a theatre organ.
Construction:
Metal, tapered resonators.
Tonality:
Smooth yet loud reed. Capable of underpinning the ensemble as well as blending in smaller registrations.
The tonality is noted below against the typical stop names for each builder.W = Wurlitzer, C = Compton, Ch = Christie.
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STOP NAMES |
|
|
Tuba (C) |
Smooth but powerful chorus reed with sufficient ‘edge’ to give an almost menacing assertiveness. Untremulated, produces powerful blocks of tone when played with Diapason or Tuba, or with 16′ and/or 4′ pitches. |
|
Tuba Horn (W) |
Smooth tuba, often relatively mild in comparison to the Compton reference. |
|
Tuba Mirabilis |
‘Most wonderful’ Tuba; denotes a more powerful, larger-scale stop. |
|
Clarion |
4′ extension of the stop. |
|
Ophicleide |
16′ extension of the stop. 16′ Tuba Mirabilis may be labelled ‘Bombarde’ (W) |
