1/2 size tuba

Chriss2760 · Post by **Chriss2760** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:04 pm

The Besson 2-20 was a very small BBb (yep, BBb,) tuba that was only slightly bigger than a euph. I played one while doubling on 'bass 'bone around L.A. in the late 70's early 80's. I had it in a gig bag and it made getting around a whole lot easier. It is a three valve, non-comp. horn with a bell diameter only around 14.5". It would fit the 1/2 (2/4?) size definition I think.

Chriss2760 · Post by **Chriss2760** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:06 pm

One other thing: It originally had a euro (small) shank for the mp. I had that changed out right off the bat, and only just remembered it.

Mark E. Chachich · Post by **Mark E. Chachich** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:41 pm

A good repair shop should be able to turn down a mouthpiece so that it can fit. A nice use for an old unused mouthpiece.

Think about taking the tuba to a repair shop that has a set of magnetic dent balls, that should make the big dent on the top bow better in fairly short order. You could then evaluate your tuba more accurately. This is cheaper and eaiser (but usually not as nice looking) then the traditional take the tuba apart then use dent balls.

enjoy your new (old) tuba,
Mark

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:12 pm

Judging by the valve slides, it looks to be an Eb. That was not at all an uncommon size when musicians had to use the same horn for marching and concerts.

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:43 pm

I would like a tuba that would fit in my watchpocket with a sound that would light up Carnegie Hall with little effort.
I'm sure I'm going to have to compromise somewhat!

r smith · Post by **r smith** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:50 pm

Looks like a Eb to Me. Let us see a picture when you get it in playing condition.

DonShirer · Post by **DonShirer** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:59 pm

I concur that it looks like an Eb. You can tell for sure by measuring the distance from mouthpiece to bell straight through the valve block. Should be about 13.5 ft for an Eb tuba.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:25 am

tubatubatuba wrote:So where can I get a mouthpiece for it?

First thing I'd suggest is to see what modern shank size will fit. Once you know what you're looking for, you can look for a vintage 'piece, or have one made by one of the custom makers.

TonyTuba · Post by **TonyTuba** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:42 am

Half size tuba??? Its's called a euphonium

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:45 pm

tubatubatuba wrote:Everyone thinks it's a Eb tuba but I just don't know. Have you looked at the pic in the link?

That's what you get, for asking people on the Internet to tell you what you have on your hands. Measure it and tell us. Ignore the valve dependent tubing, just the main run from the mouthpiece leadpipe, through the valves, to the end of the bell.

I hope this isn't going to be some kind of sadistic Christmas present to Junior.

r smith · Post by **r smith** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:53 pm

You can take your Instrument to a local music store they should be able to help you to ID the instrument, and should have a mouthpiece. If that does not work out take your instrument to your local High School Band Director, He/She should be able to ID the instrument for you.

Good luck.

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:59 pm

tubatubatuba wrote:
DonShirer wrote:I concur that it looks like an Eb. You can tell for sure by measuring the distance from mouthpiece to bell straight through the valve block. Should be about 13.5 ft for an Eb tuba.
I measured as you instructed and got 14 feet.

I'm betting on Eb, then. At any rate, too long to be a baritone and it's sure not a French horn, so you'll need a tuba mouthpiece. Find one for starters without spending too much time or money on it, because odds are pretty good it won't fit.

If a common tuba mouthpiece shank is just a little too big, then you either need an old-style small shank mouthpiece (only commonly available from Denis Wick, pretty good option), or you have to enlarge the receiver. While waiting for my Denis Wick 5 to come in the mail, I was able to make do with some duct tape and a larger mouthpiece, but I already happened to have one laying around. A bass trombone mouthpiece might fit better, though I would expect it to sound a lot worse.

Wes Krygsman · Post by **Wes Krygsman** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:57 pm

There are pictures on Alan Baer's website (www.baertracksmusic.com) of a travel/practice/pocket F tuba he's developing with Meinl Weston. It is about half the size of the normal F. It's under the Research and Development gallery in his photos link.

Wes Krygsman · Post by **Wes Krygsman** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:21 pm

That's actually not the one I was talking about, if I knew how to post a link I would, but it's in the 2 last pictures in that gallery.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:35 pm

... and comparison of size with a full-size F

http://www.baertracksmusic.com/index.ph ... t=1&id=243

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:37 pm

My questions is:

When is the Kodiak F coming out??? Looks interesting.

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:49 pm

ASTuba wrote:My questions is:

When is the Kodiak F coming out??? Looks interesting.

I want one!!!!!!!!! That looks like fun!