TubeNet

If they are still in production; how does one find them on the internet? I know that Buffet Crampon owns them (I think), but I really would like to see some of their new tubas, if they exist.

they are indeed a member of the buffet crampon group

website:http://www.courtois-paris.com/fr/index.php#Instruments

there were tubas on this website until last year , if I remember well, but the only big brass instruments left on the site now are saxhorns old style.
maybe they were removed in favour of the besson range?

never played one

>maybe they were removed in favour of the besson range?

I got information from a Courtois employee that the tuba range is indeed out of production since Besson is part of the same group as Courtois... had the luck to get one of their last 181 Eb...

Michael

I thought Courtois was a part of Leblanc, and therefore now Steinway. What'd I miss?

J.c. (who can't keep track of which monopoly is the game and the real life)

Courtois is part of a European conglomerate which also owns Buffet-Crampon, purchased Besson out of bankruptcy, and a few others.

This conglomerate is quite distinct, apart, and a different entity altogether from the cyborg, and unlike the cyborg, actually seems to be focused on making music instruments rather than short term cash flow.

I play a Courtois 181 and really love it, as I understand it Buffet Crampon now own the Courtois brand as well as the Besson brand and so are not going to continue selling 2 lines of professional instrument and have discontinued the Courtois tubas, favouring the Sovereign line.
The model is still available from Mr Tuba (no specific model number) in Wales, or from B&S as the 3181 model.
The wrap of the instrument is more open, and the 4th valve tuning slide is not in a mess of tubing in the middle of the instrument which makes it easier to keep clean and shiney. the valves are bigger than the sovereign, but it is just a case of getting used to them.