The helicon is a brass instrument in the tuba family. It is recognized as a precursor of sorts to the more specialized sousaphone. The instrument plays similarly to a standard tuba, the main difference being its circular, rather than rectangular layout. Despite it being ultimately replaced by the more popular sousaphone, some have expressed preference for the helicon for various reasons:

“What’s more, the balance is much better than any sousaphone with a lower center of gravity. The helicon tuba is ideal for standing, moving in jazz performances, or on the march. It’s sound is clear and it projects better than a sousaphone.”

A.M. Bottali worked with instrument maker Fernando Roth, his father-in-law, as a foreman before taking the company over in 1898. Upon his succession, the business was renamed “Roth & Bottali.” The company was taken over again by Maino & Orsi around 1910, then later named Bottali-Roth-Pelitti in 1926, before ultimately closing in 1939.