Tuba Tuesday: Buescher,Recording model 640, BB flat tuba, 3 piston, 1939

[bisontuba]

Happy Tuba Tuesday. The Museum features a Buescher,Recording model 640, BB flat tuba, 3 piston, 1939.

Serial #: 289151

Bell Diameter 24”, Bore Size .770.

Comments:“The / Buescher / B / Elkhart – Ind. – U. S. A. ” engraved on front of bell in decorative scroll.

This magnificent horn came to us with all the original accessories, including the two piece case, lyre, period stand, and original mouthpiece with bit. The bit is important, as these american recording basses were designed to be played with at least one mouthpiece bit, like a sousaphone. Playing without it causes the horns response to be wooly and indistinct.







https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... ston-1939/

[tofu]

Wow - that is some engraving. Would this have been the standard engraving for this horn or was this a custom item?

[bisontuba]

I would think(?) special engraving...gorgeous work...

[humBell]

Wow - that is some engraving. Would this have been the standard engraving for this horn or was this a custom item?

Really good question.

I also think it is special, as i don't think i've seen the ornate B before.

Most pre WWII Bueschers i've seen have the engraving on the outside right(?) side of the bell. By this i mean the collar points down and the bell points right and you see the engraving, lettering at a 45 degree angle (pi/4 radians) in front of you.

And i've seen post WWII with the engraving on the top inside of the bell like this. I think Olds baritones also may do this sometimes?

Way cool in any case!

[humBell]

Also mildly wish they had pictures of the case, but that's just me being spoiled. Buescher made cool cases, and if ya ever catch a sousaphone case. Beside the bump for the collar of the bell, there's another little bump accommodating the lower leadpipe. And of course places that holding bits and neck and mouthpiece, if memory serves.