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Anyone know how the compensating system works without the 4th valve?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ESNpycRVg/?

https://www.dwerden.com/eu-articles-comp.cfm
This link explains all.

I used to have a Besson New Standard BBb 3-valve compensating tuba. I prefer it. It is better in tune with itself than is the 4-valve comp. Essentially, the comp loops tie into the 3rd valve instead of the 4th valve. Unless you must have near-pedal notes, the 3-valve system is actually more in tune because on low G and D you use 3rd valve alone tuned "dead" instead of 1+2 which is always marginally sharp without lipping. The comp loops take care of 2+3 and 1+3. 1+2+3 will always require a little bit of lipping, but that is only two notes, B nat and low E nat, which is seldom played in most band literature.

This is in contrast to the 4-valve comp, where just like on a non-comp tuba, you must use 1+2 for G & D and have to lip. The comp loops coming off the 4th valve are only useful for 4 alone, C and low F, and the near-pedal low notes below that. See attached pic of a BBb 3-valve comp. The Eb is the same, as is the Eb tenor horn.

I'm looking for one of those (Besson / B&H) 3 valve compensating Bb tubas

Curious how come this is posted in offsite deals and ads without a link to such an instrument.

If there is a desire for such an instrument, one might be mentioned here viewtopic.php?t=5002 eventually should one come up (more general as it doesn't specify Besson) but over all, They are surprisingly rarer than their BBb counterparts. There was another listed on Pittsburgh craigslist back Novemberwise... (one moment, i'll grab find the thread...viewtopic.php?t=10484) albeit i'd have to stare at it a bit and the blaikley explanation earlier in this thread before i could pick out some slight differences perhaps. (i like to pick nits)

Anyway, good fortune on your quest should (any of) you seek an eb 3 valve comp!

humBell wrote: ↑Mon Mar 03, 2025 8:36 am Curious how come this is posted in offsite deals and ads without a link to such an instrument.

OP did provide a FB link to a private group. 799 euros, silver "Imperial Besson" by B&H.

Ah! My bad!

Thanks for including details.

Not sure how i missed it... (whether i clicked it and got denied by my lack of facebook and lack private group membership, or just blanked on seeing the link, or interpreted it as part of a signature?)

Anyway at a glance, looks solid, and i bet you can find cheaper if you are patient and compromise somewhat on quality, but it seems reasonable for what it is, and the few others i've seen listed (looking through sold items on ebay)

Thanks y’all!

Here's anudder one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/135600228371?m ... media=COPY