Old Besson BBb

[thedeep42]

So, I might have a line on an old Besson Bb, original parts all around, including the aged and very ugly frosted silver finish. plays in pitch (not old enough to have an A425 or whatever the heck those old ones have) it weighs as much as a tank but in the right hands (and with the right mouthpiece) can make a joyous noise. just a few very superficial dents. the prospective seller is interested in taking an offer and i don't know what to give.. (it's from a college music department, but it has basically collected dust there for years, they do want to get enough out of it to go for another mirafone) so.. any suggestions on price? cheers

[Chuck Jackson]

3 Valve- 750-1,000
4 Valve- 800-1200

IMHO, the 3 valve compensating models, along with the venerable Conn 14K, were the most in tune tubas ever made. Great scale, big sound. , one of the best. I haven't played a 4 valve that I (read a couple of posts dwon about opinions) personally liked, but the Brits sure make a glorious racket on them, so your mileage may vary. They are built incredibly well and have a half-life of @ 15,000 years or 25 years in a school environment.

Chuck"who wishes, beyond still being to be able to play, that he hadn't let go of a 3 banger I used to own"Jackson

[thedeep42]

should have specified... it's fully compensating 3+1

[iiipopes]

3 Valve- 750-1,000
4 Valve- 800-1200

IMHO, the 3 valve compensating models, along with the venerable Conn 14K, were the most in tune tubas ever made. Great scale, big sound. , one of the best. I haven't played a 4 valve that I (read a couple of posts dwon about opinions) personally liked, but the Brits sure make a glorious racket on them, so your mileage may vary. They are built incredibly well and have a half-life of @ 15,000 years or 25 years in a school environment.

Chuck "who wishes, beyond still being to be able to play, that he hadn't let go of a 3 banger I used to own" Jackson

Hey! I resemble that remark! When I get the leaks fixed on mine, look out! The only negative is that they are very substantial, so unless you can prop it on the corner of your chair or on a tuba stand, it is very heavy to have on your lap, and 1-3 C and 123 B nat can get stuffy. Make sure you use a deep funnel cup mouthpiece for it to get the most out of it, like the Wick 1 that was designed for it, or a really deep rounded cup like a Kelly 18 if you need more projection outdoors.

I have a recording of our community band playing a Beatles medly scored in the brass band style of the time. I'm playing my Besson and the principal cornet is playing a shepard's crook cornet with a deep mouthpiece. (Bach, not Besson, but the singular tone still comes across). Setting aside the usual occasional clam that is just part of being a community band, the entire piece, with the tone of the cornet and the tuba sound like it could have been recorded across the pond instead of here. Life is so grand.

[tofu]

-

[jeopardymaster]

You may want to invest in a tuba stand of some kind as well. Back in high school, I borrowed an old Besson for a summer music camp. Messed up my neck, left shoulder, right wrist and nearly lost a testicle.

[The Big Ben]

You may want to invest in a tuba stand of some kind as well. Back in high school, I borrowed an old Besson for a summer music camp. Messed up my neck, left shoulder, right wrist and nearly lost a testicle.

Do tell. I had a situation like that at a music camp with a similar result except it was an encounter with a elephantine female bassoon player in full rut.