Anthony Braxton got his hands on an antique contra, and recorded some noises which didn't speak well for musical potential of the horn. The liner notes on that album, IIRC, are where I first saw the estimate of 12-15 survivors. There was also an odd story about Braxton's horn having been discovered in an abandoned house.
The old contras (or at least some of them) had enormous bells - 20" or so. I'm curious whether they speak more slowly than the modern ones (e.g. from Eppelsheim). The Nuclear Whales player had one of the old contras, I think, and made great music with it. I'd like to see a list of the old-style ones which are playable, and not merely intact. I think some of those required a contrabass mouthpiece, which is not exactly an off-the-shelf item.
There is a Youtube video up which compares old and new contras - it's interesting.
So I too would be curious to know how many of the old giants are still playing. I'd pick an Eppelsheim or Stainer for busking though, if I had my pick!
Possibly (LoL); but it's a shame their Bell isn't longer, so they could be keyed lower! Yeah, who wouldn't want that?...
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