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This is a 1926 Buescher model 85 3v BBb in satin silver. All slides move, pistons have lots of plating left. Has a smaller 19" recording bell. Silver plate is at about 95%, with wear at hand contact points in inner branches and a bit on the bell. I had the bell rolled out recently. Missing one bell screw. Hope I look this good at age 98!
Located in southeastern CT. PM or email beanhillbrass at gmail.
Last edited by arpthark on Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:10 pm, edited 4 times in total.
These users thanked the author arpthark for the post (total 2):
York-aholic (Thu Jan 04, 2024 9:48 am) • BRS (Thu Feb 01, 2024 7:39 am)
prairieboy1 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:05 pm
How did the Buescher do at your rehearsal?
Unfortunately, due to ice and a lack of a gig bag for this, I decided to leave it in my car and not risk faceplanting in the parking lot while carrying it in. I brought my CC as a backup in case the Buescher was a no-go. It will get a real test this week -- temps in the 40s!
These users thanked the author arpthark for the post:
prairieboy1 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:05 pm
How did the Buescher do at your rehearsal?
Unfortunately, due to ice and a lack of a gig bag for this, I decided to leave it in my car and not risk faceplanting in the parking lot while carrying it in. I brought my CC as a backup in case the Buescher was a no-go. It will get a real test this week -- temps in the 40s!
You certainly made the right decision! Having fallen twice outside on ice while carrying a horn that was IN a bag, better safe than sorry Let us know how this week's rehearsal goes!
I finally did get a chance to bring this to a band rehearsal tonight. I got a lot of compliments on the sound -- punchy, direct yet fairly "fat." It does seem to play on the flatter side of 440 (I played with the main slide all the way in), but I felt like intonation is pretty decent overall except for the normal woes (flat C in the staff and so on). I did take a picture of the valves as well and you can see their condition, with #3 being somewhat more worn than the other two. However, slides still all get pop. Not too bad for 98.
BRS wrote: ↑Thu Feb 01, 2024 7:39 am
Sometimes (pretty much all the time…) when I see a dent in an awkward spot (like upper bows), I immediately plan a strategy for fixing it. I’d like to take a crack at this upper bow dent.
Super cool tuba. I wish I could figure out a way to justify buying it!!
You're welcome to strategize and I can outsource the implementation with my local repair guy!
Tuba Dent Strategization Fee check will be in the mail.
arpthark wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:53 pm
It does seem to play on the flatter side of 440 (I played with the main slide all the way in),
That looks like a somewhat larger version of my 1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb. The guy I bought it from insisted that it played at A=440. It took me some time and careful testing to determine that it played at A=335. But the second valve casing does indicate clearly that's it's "low pitch."
I cut it down, and then later replaced the original receiver with a modern US size one. The original was one of the "small European" deals. It now plays nicely in tune (with a 3-rd valve kicker I added) with a Kelly 25 mouthpiece. But it definitely didn't play at 440.
Gary Merrill
Amati Oval Euph (DE 104, Euph J, J6 euph)
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba (with std US receiver), Kelly 25
I love how Bueschers sound, and I'm sure this one plays just like the others. I've actually been keeping an eye out for a recording bell tuba for my personal collection. There are plenty of times where something like this would be more appropriate for outdoor gigs instead of my sousaphone. Alas, this horn is a little too far away for me to come get. Best of luck with the sale, and congrats to whoever gets this piece of history!
Tyler Ferris
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Subcontrabass FF
tylerferris1213 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:54 am
I love how Bueschers sound, and I'm sure this one plays just like the others. I've actually been keeping an eye out for a recording bell tuba for my personal collection. There are plenty of times where something like this would be more appropriate for outdoor gigs instead of my sousaphone. Alas, this horn is a little too far away for me to come get. Best of luck with the sale, and congrats to whoever gets this piece of history!
Thank you for the kind words -- I was in the same boat with wanting a front-bell horn for outdoor summer gigs, and it actually came down between this Buescher and a large-bore (.750") King 1240 from ca. 1930s, and the King won out simply by virtue of not being as nice-looking as this one. I keep the ugly tuba, buyer gets the nicer tuba.
Remove the leadpipe and add a MTS later in the bugle and you've got yourself an oh-so-useful 3-valve CC!
Let us know how this week's rehearsal goes! 
