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I recently purchased a Besson 3+1 compensating tuba off of ebay. I got quite lucky in that it arrived packed quite well and in better than expected shape. Its now in the capable hands of Baltimore Brass for a much needed cleaning and ect.....
Going by looks alone, Id say its from the 60's or early 70s.... There is not a model number on it that I could find. I did of course find the serial number. So where can I look up said number to find more info on the horn?

Now to your opinion...... Its in raw brass,,,,,, and not does not look too bad. But from a practical point of view Im not sure what to do. My hands are somewhat acidic,,,,and I have an allergy to silver. In my spot, what would you do.......I can leave it as it is......I could lacquer it.......I could plate it..... any thoughts? ( Id be surprised if there were not some!)
Craig

Congratulations on your new tuba!

BTW, I recently tried a Conn Helleberg Standard (S) model mouthpiece on my B&H 3+1 tuba and it worked out surprisingly well. Prior to that I was using a Dennis Wick 1. I would recommend giving it a try.

Google Horn-U-Copia and on the menu on the left click on serial numbers and then from the list of manufacturers click on Boosey and Hawkes. I know that you have a Besson, but the serial numbers match up by date.

As far as the brass finish I would leave it alone.

The definitive guide for dating Boosey, Hawkes, B&H, and Besson is the GUIDE TO DATING BOOSEY & Co./BOOSEY & HAWKES INSTRUMENTS BASED ON SERIAL NUMBER compiled by the Horniman Museum, which is based on the information contained in the actual B&H shop order books: books which contain not only the serial numbers of individual instruments, but the dated production records for the instruments from the time the order was entered into the production queue to the time it went out the door to the vendor/buyer.

Individual serial numbers can be localized to within 14-18 months using the information in the Guide. Details about an specific instrument can be found by consulting the appropriate volume in the Museum's collection.

If you play it a lot and your hands sweat then I would suggest putting plastic tape on the parts where your hands normally contact the instrument. My father sweated right through the brass on his old Martin, and went through several brass patches as well.

As far as numbers, here is a relatively good chart that seems to be pretty accurate:
http://saxworx.com/boozy2.htm" target="_blank

I have an old New Standard 3-valve comp BBb. No, there won't be any model names on it. If you corrode brass, yes, you might have it spot lacquered, or as bloke says, just play it. The brass is thick, and even if you do corrode through it, it will be many years down the line. But I understand the situation: I corrode nickel. So I have to be careful with the nickel trim on my tubas.

As far as mouthpieces, the "standard" mouthpiece for a Besson BBb is a Wick 1 (old small receiver) or Wick 1L ("standard" receiver) for a BBb and the 3 or 3L for an Eb. You don't say which yours is.

If it is an Eb, there are some other choices that folks generally use.

Thanks to everyone for your help. It looks like this horn (BBb) was made sometime between 1977-79. I think Ill keep it in raw brass and just wipe it down quite a bit. If I decide to shine it up a bit.......perhaps just the inside of the bell or something......is there anything better than brasso?

Euphistuba wrote:Thanks to everyone for your help. It looks like this horn (BBb) was made sometime between 1977-79. I think Ill keep it in raw brass and just wipe it down quite a bit. If I decide to shine it up a bit.......perhaps just the inside of the bell or something......is there anything better than brasso?

I like dull, raw, or "ugly" tubas. It lowers the expectations (and hopefully increases the surprise enjoyment) of the non-tuba people watching/listening. (I'm just kidding, I actually polished my silver tuba last week, shiny shiny!)

I just discovered that this horn was sold in Jan or Feb by the village tinker. Not sure why they buyer put it up for sale, but it is in great shape and should do really well for me. Im the second person to own it this year! It plays like a dream and intonation is really quite good. What a bargin for $760!