Did you check the valve alignment? Misaligned valves can cause serious issues also on rotary instruments, especially having 6 of them. It should not just be "OK" but exactly on both opening markings to have the already small bore fully available. I have a small 4+2 rotary F and a really small 3+1 Eb ...

@Bloke, as for me I'd leave out the word "old". I'd be very happy to own the new 164GM I tested...with the advantage of less repairs and maintenance effort in the first 50 years of ownership :smilie8: And yes, these instruments are somehow oldtimers referring to your analogy, but aren't we mostly ...

I smoothed out the kranz to be as tight as possible with a special conical wooden bakery roll from the inside of the bell after my local workshop did the basics. No vibrations any more and I can repeat the treatment carefully if needed.

Congratulations! I have exactly the same model with the original leadpipe bow and large receiver ("pre war" as I know the full history of mine). I was at Alexander im Mainz just recently and could play the current 164 gold brass model side by side with mine. The old model definitely plays on par ...

I would test different mouthpieces before thinking of changing the tuba. At the age of 16 still doubling euphonium, me and my teacher found the Yamaha Roger Bobo Symphonic perfectly right for me. I later switched to a Wick 1XL when playing a British BBb. Today, almost 30 years later, for the very ...

I play a standard Giddings model (Szentpali) and Ivan made the shank custom fit for my 164. Before that, my local workshop customized my existing PT50+ with an additional layer of thin sheet brass and replated the whole mp. I must add, that to my luck the "local workshop" is a highly regarded ...

Yes, and I could not justify more (except maybe for a decent trombone). The first approx. 10 years as a tuba player I played on all sorts of borrowed equipment in questionable quality and shape. This experience and at that time having very limited funds made me scan the used market off the ...

I just recently played his B4 (4/4 to 5/4 BBb) which is placed in the GR5x range (had a GR51 for a couple of years myself), his PBK and his piston F. I do not feel qualified enough for any advice, but I personally especially enjoyed the B4 very much and like his approach behind that tuba. For my ...

The conductors that I experienced in symphonic wind orchestras very much like me bringing my Besson 17" BBb New Standard (3+1 comp.) from 1967 because it blends so well and supports the requested character of sound fitting almost every section I played with. Got a similar feedback from sound ...

3v tubas in a wind band are getting rare here in Germany but I agree that for most players it would probably work out. However most players do not set up their slides right regarding proper tuning, especially 1-3, 123 combinations. As for the 2nd slide pull ring: With my 4v rotary Kaiser, I can use ...

I play an old compensated Besson New Standard 4 valve BBb (17" bell) and it's not just fully chromatic but also has no real intonation issues or picky notes over the usable range of 3 octaves. Depending on the setting my traditional German Kaiser fits better soundwise and regarding accessible range ...

When I got my 3+1 BBb, I found the solution for this issue for me with a drum seat and the standard K&M playing stand. I have used it for all of my BBb playing since as this provides the same upright and comfortable playing position (same height both stand and seat) in every (sitting) situation ...

Hi, I can only encourage you to do this. I did exactly that (replacing the metal guides with nylon screws) for my Besson BBb on all 4 valves on a calm (long) evening approx 2 years ago using 2 small cutter knives (rectanglular blade to do a straight cut off + thin triangular blade for minor ...

Mine is a Willson 2704 which one of the previous owners cut to tune and changed the leadpipe including a large receiver, resulting in a very nice horn despite the rather poor visual quality of the modification work.

"Other" instruments:
Piano (discontinued lessons after 10 years): 37
Guitar & Bass Guitar (rarely used and limited skills but I like to play): 30
Trombone (rarely used): 25

Main instruments (90% Tuba since I started playing):
Tenorhorn/Euphonium: 33
Tuba: 30

The ease of page turns is the big (but otherwise maybe only) ergonomic advantage of a 3+1 BBb with a playing stand. Especially in outdoor conditions with the need to manage magnets.

I experienced the same benefits while being part of such a duo in our regional amateur symphonic wind orchestra 15-20 years ago. I had the BBb part (New Standard Besson 3+1 comp 17" bell, DW 1XL) and my colleague did the Eb part (Besson Sovereign, 19", DW3). That was the perfect match for all div ...

I play rather wide (33mm range) deep funnel mouthpieces with BBb tubas and initially thought I needed something large in the SM3 range or even larger for euphonium, too. Up to now I found my perfect mouthpiece with the Warburton Demondrae Thurman which really opened up my range and flexibility ...

This FMB-Bag linked below should fit your horn well if not perfect. It is a toploader especially made for a 5/4 Rudy. I use it for my 164 which has similar dimensions except the smaller bell diameter. Decent quality and very good protection for a reasonable price. They also ship to US. https://www ...

What about the B&S GR51 or GR55? Both are excellent instruments with the right tone and volume for the lowest voice in a concert band but quiet compact and air efficient compared to all rather Kaiser sized tubas mentioned above. Both share similar characteristics while being different in size and ...