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Are there any Eb tuba models out there that are noncompensating and have the 3+1 valve arrangement, in the British style?

Martin. I've got a Martin non-compensating Eb with valves in the 3+1 setup. 17" bell, but not a huge horn. Works all right in concert band, great for solo or quintet. I found intonation easy to manage. Anyone interested is welcome to contact me....

Um... I mean, Martin made such a horn.

John Thompson
freebandmusic@lycos.com" target="_blank

yip, besson "700" series or "international".
Although there were ones in the 700 series that were compensating. Don't know why.

Wim

LJV wrote:Salvationist also made a 3+1 non-comp Eb tuba.

I have one from 1955 and I love it! It needed a few things to make it work the way it does (shortened main and 1st slide and added a larger mp receiver) but now it's probably the best Eb I've ever played.

oedipoes wrote:yip, besson "700" series or "international".
Although there were ones in the 700 series that were compensating. Don't know why.

Wim

The Sovereign line was developed with prominent British players around 1970. The baritone and especially the tubas were among the latest to arrive.

In the fall of 1973 I attended a clinic with Denis Wick at the conservatory of Copenhagen. After the main programme DW and some attendees gathered around the display of the low brass instruments’ display from the sponsor, B&H. The instruments were Eb alto horn, euphonium, and trombones.

Denis Wick told abut the plans for the tubas: still compensating, but compact. Square was the term used by DW. Together with John Fletcher they had developed a very efficient leadpipe for the Eb version (25% more sound according to DW), but they could not get an equivalent for the BBb right.

In 1978 I took part in the EU championships for brass band in the Royal Albert Hall of London. After our second entry, we were free to watch the instrument displays. By then the Sovereign line was completed but for the tubas, where the recommendations by major dealers were still the Imperial and New Standard models. Maybe already then, but no later than 1979 the 4 valve compensators came with the 19” bells, but also with the non-reformed narrow leadpipes. These were the 700-series compensating tubas, which were carried on until the Sovereign tubas came around 1982. Not square, but based on the original frames (valve block through bottom bow).

There was a non-compensating 700-series Eb 3+1P tuba until shortly before 2000. It was identical to the 982 but for the valve block and a more sparing outfit of bow guards. I loaned one during the wait for my 981. It was easily played, but the lack of the heavy and stiff compensating valve block and of some guards made some notes overly responsive. Top of the staff Ab would stand out very loud if played evenly in a scale context. One had to hold back on that note. Personally I prefer the 981, but I know of two players liking the NC 700 Eb very much for its lighter weight and its easier response.

A very few 3+1 non-compensating Eb’s were made on the frame of the small entry level Eb’s normally coming with only 3 top pistons:

viewtopic.php?p=278911#p278911" target="_blank

Klaus

And then the topic of old French/British Eb 3+1 non-compers certainly was touched in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=28961

Belltrouble wrote:

oedipoes wrote:yip, besson "700" series or "international".
Although there were ones in the 700 series that were compensating. Don't know why.

Wim

Don´t mix up International series and the old 700 series!!!

As far as I know,the old 700 series is something different from the International series where the models have 700................numbers,right?

"or" is in the meaning of naming two different horns having the same 3+1 Eb non-compensating characteristic.