TubaForum.net

Eventually, i think i'd like to get my hands on one.

No hurry...

A project is on its way, but there i confess there is some instant gratification in my system to still be interested...

(There's compensation, and there is compensation...)

How about this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125545227491?h ... Swz3VjO8Pe

b.williams wrote: ↑Tue Oct 04, 2022 6:49 am How about this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125545227491?h ... Swz3VjO8Pe

This. They come up fairly often. Saw a couple on CL and FB recently.

Though better in-tune (down to "low A") than a non-comp, their range "peters out" at (again) "low A", as the false tones aren't as good as with the B-flat version featuring this system.

me...??
I tend to enjoy playing A-flat, G, F, and some of those other pitches in that range.

I didn't see any pictures of the pistons.

Money isn't worth anything anymore, but - for a polka-band or top-part-brass-band (for those few in the USA who are able to play in one of those) "fun horn", that could probably be of interest...but I just don't know (dents / valves...??) about that pricing.

There’s always this question or doubt about the capabilities of three valve Eb bass. In Brass Bands you’ll get by just fine, well I have, but four valves gives you a better low range that, to be honest, is very rarely needed. Three compensating valves play more in tune than four compensating valves.

Whether a three valve Eb or a three valve BBb is better or more use I really wouldn’t like to say. My suspicion is that for general utility the three valve BBb will, in the hands of a skilled player, nudge ahead. On the other hand it’s really all about what’s written on your music and whether the Tuba in your hands at that time gives you the range required; if either the Eb or BBb will do the job then the Eb’s likely to be the easier instrument to use.

I hope that the OP finds something to suit and enjoys his purchase.

Thanks all!

Something is in the works, and will report on things when i get a chance to catch my breath...

Even if i have scratched my itch, i am still interested...

These are the Four that are never content, that have never
been filled since the Dews began—
Jacala’s mouth, and the glut of the Kite, and the hands of the
Ape, and the Eyes of Man.
Jungle Saying.

Awaits me at the end of a road trip...

Modern shipping is faster than i figured it to be (and i am slower, too, milking my road trip somewhat)

And to my eternal shame, i only glanced at it to make an offer late at night before turning in, and didn't fully realize what it was until after the offer was accepted the next morning.

Anyway, feel free to pester me in a week or two if i don't report in...

It will to be interesting to hear how this turns out for the OP.

As best I understand what the OP’s purchased he’s got an old Besson and that’s likely got two particular features that might or might not be problematic. An instrument of this age would very likely have been built in high pitch and later converted to some standard pitch; and the enharmonic compensating system fitted isn’t the current (better?) form of three valve compensation - I believe that the currently used form was originally developed by Boosey. I suspect that a collector would enjoy having the instrument but I’m not so sure about how it might compare (to other instruments) as a player.

Boosey & Company diversified into manufacturing woodwind instruments in 1851, collaborating in 1856 with flautist R. S. Pratten (1846–1936) to develop new designs for flutes. It bought over the business of Henry Distin in 1868, allowing it to begin making brass instruments. Among its achievements was the widely acclaimed design for compensating valves developed by David James Blaikley in 1874.[2] The company also commenced production of string instruments.[6]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boosey_%26_Hawkes

Earned $1 busking last night, and brought it to rehearsal where it played in tune with folk. It had other issues need work not related to compensating system, and i luck out that it has been adapted to modern pitch.

Will try to get those issues addressed, and see if the only other person i know with another enharmonic compensator will suffer me to play along at some point for the lols and perhaps a photo (er, microphone) op?

We'll see...

Gotted.

But still too lazy to post results... or update the updates.

humBell wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2023 7:49 am Gotted.

But still too lazy to post results... or update the updates.

Can you at least say what the low Ab false tone is like?

Will double check next time i am there.

Left them with a repair fellow (both the enharmonic and blaikley examples, as there were minor issues)

But from memory i was satisfied. Not that that helps much as i am easily satisfied.