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Hi All,

I'm trying to move over from euphonium playing to tuba. My friend gave me his Conn BBb to try. The front valves are at an angle that is really uncomfortable. I'm looking for top action valves like on my euphonium. Is there a list of tubas that has that configuration in a Bb? I figure that vintage is best as my money is not great and I hope I can find something for under $1000. It's going to be used for a trad jazz band. Thanks.

Richard

British built BBb tubas are mostly 4v (3+1) and 3v top action. The 4v versions are often compensating horns.
Typical manufacturers being: Besson, Boosey & Hawkes, even the Salvation Army in the UK.
There are other manufacturers, but these cover the older models (pre-1970s) which is more in your price range.
Start looking in your homeland for these, but I would also post on this FB group that you're looking: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1130819023694810
There was a 3v for sale at £300 GBP only yesterday.
Make sure any older horn has been converted and does not remain in high-pitch (A = 440 Hz and not 453 Hz).
Most have been converted, but worth checking.
https://ibewbrass.wordpress.com/2020/01 ... low-pitch/
I would also check the mouthpiece shank size it'll take, with older British tubas often being small Euro and not American std.
Small shank MP's are plentiful on the "used" for sale market.

Even though I don't like Yamaha for various reasons, they do have upright valve models that are copied from the B&H/Besson tubas. Some old Conns had upright valves. Some antique Martins had upright valves. Some companies, like Jupiter, King, and a M-W model 10 or 11, make upright valve 3/4 sized tubas, but you may or may not like the tone, as they will not have the heft of a full sized tuba that you may need for a trad jazz group. There may be others, these are what I think of off the top of my head.

Another option: sousaphone. A good souzy was sometimes to lay the foundation for trad jazz, and especially Dixieland, and especially in early recordings. I use one for all outdoor concerts.

this looks like a decent $1K sousa for trad jazz: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=100803

A good sousaphone for that price would be a lucky find, fiberglass horns are cheaper but there’s a reason for that. Second on old Conns. King 1240s have front valves but maybe at a more tolerable angle?

Yane wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 9:20 amfiberglass horns are cheaper but there’s a reason for that

true, but they also won't blow out your back after three parades on the 4th of July...