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I don’t remember hearing about a Besson 998 tuba.

Out of my head I remember these Besson Sovereign tuba models, all compensating but for the 995:

980: Eb - 17" bell - 3+1P (considered the upright version of the 983)

981: Eb - 19" bell - 3+1P fast expansion of leadpipe - considered an orchestral tuba

982: same as 981 but for the slower expansion of the leadpipe - considered a marching tuba

983: Eb - 17" bell - 4 front action pistons - considered a solo and small ensemble tuba

All of the Eb models have a 0.689" bore

985: F - 19" bell - 4 front action pistons - 0.750" bore - only 12 prototypes made in two batches of 6 each

992: BBb - 19" bell - 3+1P - discontinued and replaced by the slightly more compact 994

993: BBb - ? bell - 4 front action pistons

994: please see under 992

All of the BBb models have a 0.732" bore

995: non-compensating CC tuba made in cooperation with Walter Nirschl - 4FP+1RV

If you post photos we might help you ID your tuba.

Klaus

Would you happen to know the model number of the tuba that I used to play? It was a besson, had a bellfront, and had 3 compensating upright pistons.
This is more just because it'd be cool to know, rather than information I really need, so if you don't know it off the top of your head, don't worry about it.

Tuba Guy wrote:Would you happen to know the model number of the tuba that I used to play? It was a besson, had a bellfront, and had 3 compensating upright pistons.
This is more just because it'd be cool to know, rather than information I really need, so if you don't know it off the top of your head, don't worry about it.

I probably never knew the numbers of the bell front models, as I never saw them marketed in Europe. But I have seen photo documentation of compensating models from the pre-Sovereign toplines Besson New Standard/Boosey & Hawkes Imperial as well as from the then student/amateur lines Besson Westminster/B&H Regent.

Klaus

The serial number will be on the back of the bell if older, and under the logo if newer. They start with the model ie 992-xxxxx

I know, what's a couple of thou, but the nominal bore on a Besson BBb is .730.

According to my ca. 1961 Besson catalogue, the 3 valve compensating recording bell BBb tuba was the 8-10 Model 222 while the 4-banger was the 8-10 Model 225. Bore is listed as .7302 Apparently they used 8-10 as a prefix on all of their non-Stratford (budget) instruments. They also used the numbers 10-10 on certain trumpets and trombones that they considered "pro-line" models. At that time Besson was distributed by C. Bruno & Son, Inc.

That's great. I had never heard about that particular spec. Wow! We all talk about putting in your two cents' worth, but putting in your 2/10,000 worth -- amazing!

New information on the 985 has arrived. My original posting has been edited accordingly.

Klaus