TubeNet

The weak point of the older Brit tubas is the narrow leadpipe.

If your prospective tuba is an Eb, then get a leadpipe for a Besson 981.

If it is BBb, then get a leadpipe for a Besson 994.

The respective valve block knuckle dimensions are the same.

Anyway you have to ask yourself an important question: are the valves of the tuba in question good enough to justify any investments at all?

Klaus

Statman wrote:Thanks for the responses so far.

Klaus--thanks for the specific replacement advice. The horn is a BBb and the valves seem to be in excellent condition for their age. I'll check more before I buy.

Statman

Not long ago, I put a standard large-shank receiver on a 4-valve Boosey Imperial BBb--it actually improved the intonation a bit. Have a repairman take a look at the job--it shouldn't be expensive and it'll save you the bother of trying to find special-order mouthpieces.