What musical instrument is called a tubular?

Answer 1

The only instrument I can think of with "tubular" as part of its name (rather than a description) is the "Tubular Bells", also called Orchestral Chimes. This instrument has a frame with the chimes suspended from gut strings and arranged so that their upper ends look a bit like a piano keyboard: natural notes along the bottom and sharps/flats arranged in 3's and 2's above. There is usually a pedal which moves a mute to the side. The mute silences the entire set of chimes at once by pressing felt or leather against the mid-point of the chime.

The chimes are usually gold color metal (often plated) and the top edge is rolled or capped to form a striking edge. The instrument is played by pressing the mute pedal to unmute all the chimes at once, and striking the top of each chime that is to produce a note with a rolled-leather-headed hammer. Only the leather hammer should be used, and the chimes should never be struck anywhere but at the top!

The sound is much like church bells, with the klang (stacked fourths) being characteristic in its partial makeup.