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As I have suddenly come upon three 3v BBb recording bell tubas, I probably need to get rid of a couple.

This is a 1965 H.N. White-era King 1240 in satin silver with a gold-wash 22" recording bell. Based on the serial number, this model is one of the last 1240s made in the H.N. White factory -- I believe the shift to Eastlake, OH happened in 1966.



This is a go-to summer band outdoor concert/Dixieland/Oktoberfest tuba. Great pitch, even with 3 valves. All slides and valves move very well.

Cosmetically, there are a few dents in the back throat of the recording bell, a few dents and dings as would be expected with almost 60 years of use, and the bell-to-receiver brace has been removed (but the leadpipe is securely soldered to the bell). There are also a replacement valve button and a replacement bell screw that are not original to the horn. Silver plate is about 98%.

That being said, it plays great.

Asking $800. Would prefer not to ship but can do so at buyer's sole risk and expense -- would likely have to do two boxes with the recording bell.


PM me or email beanhillbrass at gmail dot com.

Nice looking horn!

edit: disregard!

Bump! Come buy this tuba. Will entertain offers.

Never played a bad one of these in any configuration. Easy and fun to play. You can definitely move some earth with the forward bell. This one looks pretty sweet. good price too for what you're getting.

Oktubafest bump

I switched to playing one of these in band when my Gnagey wasn't cutting it as the only tuba for a 75-piece band. It worked great, and the conductor gave me the thumbs up the first night I played it. Highly recommended.

Thank you all for the kind words. It's a great tuba, but I somehow have ended up with three (!) 3v recording bell BBbs right now, and decided to keep one of them from the 1920s or 30s.

I can get some more detailed pics.

Bump for a fine tuba. I also listed it on eBay.

Best of luck on the sale! That is a smoking deal on a terrific tuba that can be used for just about anything. Great pitch, great false tones and more projection than ever will be needed!

Pointing to another recent topic dealing with 3v vs. 4v and the necessity of the fourth valve:

These 12/2340 Kings play in tune even if the player only takes it out of the case for Wed. Night Band Practice. They sound good and can be powerful. Going below F is a bit of a problem but most of the concert band music I've played in the last ten years can be played on a 3v horn. Show up at band practice with one of these and all the other players will say, "Wow. That's a tuba". Don't miss the thrills.

The Big Ben wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:08 pm Pointing to another recent topic dealing with 3v vs. 4v and the necessity of the fourth valve:

These 12/2340 Kings play in tune even if the player only takes it out of the case for Wed. Night Band Practice. They sound good and can be powerful. Going below F is a bit of a problem but most of the concert band music I've played in the last ten years can be played on a 3v horn. Show up at band practice with one of these and all the other players will say, "Wow. That's a tuba". Don't miss the thrills.

All of this here.

This has sold to an adult amateur returning to the tuba. Happy to get it a new home!