1935/1936 King "monster" rotary BBb with both bells for sale. The body of the horn was silvered by Anderson and in great playing shape. The 24" front bell is gold-washed on the inside and silvered on the outside (front bell has the original finishes). The 20" upright bell is silvered, and it is a ...

My favorite is my 2141 Eb so far, but I suspect my rebuilt Holton 345 will be excellent in the BBb Bass category.

I would let people pick and choose what they want to play.

Were I to ask for traditional 3+1, the Bessons are very good. I’d stick with them.

Not traditional? A set of Willson Eb’s ...

I think the players have a lot more to do with the blend of the sound than the instruments do.


I am not nearly at the level of top brass band bass players... but I 100% agree.

One of my best friends and scientific mentors is an excellent trumpet player. Not a "professional" but does a lot ...

Here in Belgium and the Netherlands, you see that about 90% of the brass band bass sections consist of Besson EEb and BBb tubas. Various professional tuba players also play in a brass band as a hobby and for the musical challenge, especially in the higher divisions. I notice that they then also ...

As far as blend is concerned, sure, a section of 3+1 instruments will sound the most similar, but I’m still going to sound like “me” on one of those. I still have to blend with the other guys regardless of what I’m playing, you know?


Naturally there's only so much that instruments help with for ...

Wilco wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 12:53 pm We have one Melton 2165 in the section, and it certainly brings an extra special sound to the band. The tuba section strives for clarity, something which is a challenge on the large compensators IMHO.

I generally feel that big horns like that were made for these parts, even if it is less uniform.

I’ve never tried the Packer copy 3 + 1 compensator but the reports of it are good, the Chinese origin instruments vary.




As someone who plays a Chinese Clone, they are pretty damn good instruments. My Dillon 981S produces a beautiful sound. I would image the Packer 374 is probably as good ...

Personally, we find the Yamaha Neo best of the currently made, for both EEb and BBb. Certainly the most consistent and well made.


Thanks, when you say we do you mean that your whole section is outfitted with matching Yamahas? Is it standard for high level competition bands in the UK to match ...

What are everyone's favorite brass band tubas, both in terms of listening to and for playing in?

Here in the UK the Besson and Yamaha four valve compensating Tubas are pretty much the only ones I ever see, the Yamahas might be slightly better built but some say that they lack ‘soul’. I have a ...

donn wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 2:04 am

Thattubaguy345 wrote: Sun Jan 11, 2026 10:20 pm brass band

British Brass Band?

Yes, British-style brass band with parts for Eb and BBb tubas.

What are everyone's favorite brass band tubas, both in terms of listening to and for playing in?

Broken solder connections or braces can also contribute to those kinds of issues.

Do you have a front bell for it as well? Does it play as well as it looks?

They put on a good show, caught them last winter.

Thanks, can you tell if the inside is bowl or funnel shaped? Either way would you send me a PM with you email (I haven't made enough posts yet to send PMs but I can receive them).

Carrying a sousaphone around has never been comfortable for me, but I fare much better with a helicon. That's what we should make this thread about: decent helicons.

This is both interesting and challenging.

Valve alignment can also definitely make tubas play poorly, but it's simple to check and correct as needed with the right tool, felts, and corks.

Would you be able to post a picture or any dimensions of the Warburton mouthpiece? I am interested and generally like their mouthpieces but don't know if this one is a standard model.

Nope, I sold it.