The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word TUBAS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
U
B
A
S
More clues leading to the result TUBAS
- Instruments other than flipping accordions suck primarily
- Boats carrying a number of instruments
- Article found among ship’s instruments
- Some brass baths held acid, originally
- Objection raised over arsenic in brass?
- Instruments are found in containers
- Container, as required by music producers
- Sculpted a bust with large instruments
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "number of instruments" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case number of instruments = tubas.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TUBAS mean?
TUBAS noun- A large brass musical instrument, usually in the bass range, played through a vibration of the lips upon the mouthpiece and fingering of the keys.
- A type of Roman military trumpet, distinct from the modern tuba.
- A large reed stop in organs.
- A reddish palm wine made from coconut or nipa sap.
- A tube or tubular organ.