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When did The Besson/Boosey/Hawkes guys start making 4 valve Bb's?
Compensators or not?
Any pictures would be great...
Thanks,
MP

Alreet dr Peach , will give you a call in a min amigo....ta

I don't know when the 4-valves were applied to tubas, but two items come to mind:

1) The enigmatic Isaac Fisk that came on eBay a couple of years ago went for a price through the roof because of its 4th valve, and

2) Blaikley's original 1874 patent for the now standard comp system included both three and four valve versions. The four valve was probably used first on euph, with tubas to follow.

There are loads of Eb boosey tubas with 4th valves which date from the 1930's , the 4th valve on Bb's were used in the mid to late sixties , there is an example of an instrument on the Black Dyke Band recording of "Thingumybob" with Paul Mcartney..the cover photo shows Derek Jackson who was on of the 1st British Brass Band Bb tuba players to utilise the 4th valve