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How are the Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 3+1 Eb tubas? Got a lead on maybe picking one up but won't be able to try it out so if I pick it up it will be on pictures alone. Thanks for the advice.

Come on guys be adventurous. Just get the horn and go from there like I did. I got one of those from Vince Roy for $900 plus shipping and it came with a skrunched bell. Oh well. Then those CamBrass folks in Valencia, CA did a fantastic restoration: bell, valves and refinished in brushed silver with a gold wash. Parts made 3 trips to Anderson Plating in IN. Bob Reeves did magic with the rotted out valve caps. The number is now about $7k but it's an unique horn and plays pretty good. Go for it!

Well - I've had my B&H EEb - 3+1 for over 30 years now. It was all I could afford as a student (I bought it, reconditioned, for £500 from B&H in London in 1976) and until recently I have not felt the desire to spend a bunch of money on anything better. It is serial number 142707 which puts it as having been manufactured in the late 1930s I believe. As it has been my only tuba for all those years I have learned to work through all its idiosyncracies and it has stood me in good stead thorough the British Youth Symphony and Wind Orchestras, Morris Concert (Brass) Band and Oxford University Orchestra back in the 70's without the conductors complaining!! Still adequate for Concert Band, Quintet, Dixieland and pit orchestra stuff - but I do have to work it hard though. It is great unless you want a lot of noise (which is why I am moving to BBb for much of that work) - pedal notes work really well. Valves need occasional TLC and repair but nothing too disruptive. 3rd partial had some tuning problems until I got a particular small dent knocked out of it - I found playing that note on 13 was the way around that issue.

Bloke's comments make a lot of sense to me as does the "try before you buy" comment - but if that is not possible see if you can get a commitment to allow you to return it. All depends on the price of course.

I bought mine used in 1985 and have been using it as my primary horn ever since. They tend to be flat. when you play it on a tuner you will be able to tell. But mine is very intune with itself. The overtone series is very good. I have played some newer Bessons that are not nearly as good. Mine is from the 70's.

There is a cut called the "Parker cut" where you take about an inch and a half off of the second to last branch on the back of the horn. I have not done that yet but am considering it. My main tuning slide was cut before I bought the horn, which doesn't give me much wiggle room, but as long we are playing in most normal pitch situations I am good to go. I would like to get original replacement parts for the tuning slide and rebuild it to stock and then perform the parker cut on the back. someday...

About 6 years ago I was considering buying a new one or trying other 3+1 Eb compensators (simply because after playing it for 20 years I really do not feel like relearning all the pieces I can play on this horn. It is tough to teach old dogs new tricks you know...) Rather than get a new horn I put a Besson 981 lead pipe on it so I could use normal shank mouthpeices, previously it had the smaller Eb receiver. It was more like the Besson 982, which they consider a marching horn since it has strap rings and a taller lead pipe postiion than the 981. The larger lead pipe really opened up the response and tone especially in the low register and I can now use larger mouthpeices (Sidey SSH). I also put delrin valve guides on it and mounted the leadpipe off the bell. I also mounted a stewart stand directly to the horn so the mouthpiece can be moved to the proper height no matter what I am sitting on. Getting the leadpipe off the bell really helped the resonance of the horn; previously the leadpipe was mounted and soldered fast to the bell its entire length, which really deadened the bell.

Probably more info than you really cared about, but I think they can be fine instruments, but it sounds like I may have gotten one of the better ones. If there is any way to try it first I would or at least have a return option.

ken k

I had one of those in College. It was my favorite horn for brass quintet. I think it blends really well with the trombone and horn. I sold it before I joined the Navy to pay rent and so I wouldn't have to sell suits until the day I left for Boot Camp. But I wish I had kept it! Intonation wasn't bad, but I would have had it cut a bit to bring up the pitch, I kept the slide out about 1/4 inch. It would have been nice to have some leeway in the cold. Other than that it was a nice horn. Surprisingly heavy for it's size, it had the 15 inch bell.

Thanks for all of the input. The one I'm looking at is physically good shape and modern low pitch and would cost me about $1400 shipped to the middle of nowhere in Colorado. I just sold my Allora BBb tuba and have a nice Conn 5J borrowed from the school I've been teaching at so I'm just debating about getting this (or one like it) or waiting for a Besson 983 to show up.

Much thanks to those who know more than I

The old B&H Imperials have a fascinating history. I think if you had one of these, besides having a great tuba, you would be the owner of a historical relic. I'd love to have one.