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Inspired by the sales advertisement of the Stofer-Conn CC on this board I have started thinking about replacing the rather beaten up leadpipe of my York Master BBb tuba. I have read here, that one can order pitch filled replacement leadpipes from Allied. But then leadpipes aren't just leadpipes. Besson gave two almost identical Eb tubas each their own model # due to the different bore progression profiles of their respective leadpipes. Around 1970 it was said to be standard Miraphone production procedure to test every tuba with 3 different leadpipes and then solder on the one bringing out the best of the given tuba.

Measuring the length and telling the .748 end bore will be easy, but what about the bore progression? Are there stand profiles or is there a supposed standard model with haphazard deviations?

My main goal is to keep or maybe even further develop this tuba as my BBb mellow floater with this huge hall filling sound for more singing applications. My other BBb's will have to do the work needing more of a bite to the attack. But if one has to take whatever profile they happen to ship, then I might get 3 and then have them clamped on for the option of selecting the right profile for the given task. I will have the angle changed anyway.

Please tell me about the best way to order such replacement leadpipe.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre

Klaus,

If you wanted to get the most exact leadpipe to match your York Master, I'd go directly to the source: Walter Nirschl. Since you live in Europe, it would probably be cheaper than having to order something from the US. Those Allied pitch filled leadpipes are very good if no other option is available. However, you're not in that position at this time.

Hope this helps.