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I'm looking for advice on a possible travel tuba. I have this old Besson "Stratford" Eb tuba. It's a student horn and nearly the size of an euphonium. I was wondering if it would be worth cutting the horn to "F" and changing the receiver to accept a large shank mpc. Will that be pricier than buying an old 3/4 BBb?

I really don't care what key. I just thought F would be best since the 1+3 combination is already way sharp on the Besson. I'm just looking for something to play in the office or easy to pick up and play with students.

Thanks for any input!

Yes it does!

The small Yamahas (YxB-621 series and YBB-10x series) are pretty much the smallest contra basses one can buy.

Weril makes tubas similar to the YBB-621 and YCB-621. Jupiter may as well.

If I were you, I'd be looking for a YBB-103. They were also stenciled as Holtons.

How much would it cost to cut the Besson to an F? I'm not interested in adding valves or changing the valves from top to front. I'd like to avoid buying another horn and make the Besson more than just a novelty.

Have you read this:

http://www.rickdenney.com/cutting_Eb_tuba.htm" target="_blank


And this:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36275&hilit=franken ... 12#p318369" target="_blank

?