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Hi

I am trying to identify and find out more information on this instrument. Not something I have ever played (tenor horn, piano & clarinet are my vices) so I am struggling - I think its a Euphonium not a Tuba but not 100% if I'm being honest! Bell size is 11.5", obviously a Boosen & Hawkes L.P. of some form Even the mouthpiece didn't want to be helpful ... PROTOTYPE!!! Any & all help appreciated! Thank you!! Christina

thank you for that. I had looked at that site and going off the serial number it would be late 1942 - providing I've understood the site correctly (which at this time of night i wouldn't put money on! lol). (serial is 159845)

A compensating euphonium with an 11.5" bell would look like it had a comparatively large bell diameter. However, the bell diameter on this instrument does not look very large in comparison with the rest of the instrument, so I am inclined to think that it is a smaller Eb tuba. And, there might be the slightest chance that it is an F tuba, although I think that only a very limited number of them were ever made by B&H.

L.P. stands for low pitch as opposed to H.P. which would stand for high pitch. Low pitch is equivalent to A=440, so you're in luck.

If you want an absolutely quick way for us to verify whether it's a euphonium or f tuba, take a piece of string and measure the length of the tubing coming out of the first piston. If you get around 13 inches you have a euphonium. 18 inches would give you an F tuba. (Give or take an inch in each case)

I would be surprised if it were not a euphonium, but Lee Stofer's opinion is one worth considering so I won't say anything brash until we have any measurements.

Eb tuba. 11.5" is huge for a euph, and I somehow doubt Boosey made one in 1942. Mouthpiece appears too big for euph, 2nd valve slide too long. Guessing based on the photo and comparing my euph and my Eb.

eupher61 wrote:11.5" is huge for a euph, and I somehow doubt Boosey made one in 1942.

My Boosey "Euph Lamp" from 1917 and my 1921 Solbron have 10.5" bells.
My 1970 Besson has a 11.5" bell
My Yep-642 a 12" bell

I owned a 1905 Boosey Solbron with a 13" bell. It seemed a lot "thicker" than the pictured horn. I don't know if any company in 1942 made an 11.5" bell tuba.

PMeuph wrote:an absolutely quick way for us to verify whether it's a euphonium or f tuba, take a piece of string and measure the length of the tubing coming out of the first piston.

Sorry to be stupid but can you just clarify which piece of tubing? (an arrow on a picture would be great )

Christina

There you go!

"Prototype" as applied to brass instruments is how Besson described their brass-making process for all horns.

OK, have measured the requested tubing (4 times to make sure) and it is about 16.25". Does this help clarify at all?
I am looking to sell the instrument so could really do with knowing what to advertise it as.

Also just a quick thank you to all of you who have already replied to this posting. I'm very grateful to you all for talking the time to give your expertise.

Christina

frisbena wrote:OK, have measured the requested tubing (4 times to make sure) and it is about 16.25". Does this help clarify at all? ....

??? Here are the approximate lengths of the tuning circuits of the popular key tubas:

F
1st valve = 18"
2nd valve = 8"
3rd valve = 27"
4th valve = 48"

Eb
1st valve = 20"
2nd valve = 9 1/2"
3rd valve = 29 1/2"
4th valve = 52"

CC
1st valve = 23.7"
2nd valve = 11.257"
3rd valve = 34.957"
4th valve = 61.62"

BBb
1st valve = 26.66"
2nd valve = 12.66"
3rd valve = 39.32"
4th valve = 69.32"

Could very well be a 'high pitch' tuba in F.

Disregard the 'wild' decimals as they are just products of interpolation of even numbers.

Now I'm even more confused!! Have been off and measured what I can to see if it helps any. Surely someone can give me a definitive answer. I have also been told the serial number dates it to May 1942.

Euphonium. As positive as I can be without playing it.

I'm assuming that the length you got was from going around the outside of the tubing, right? If you went along the inside the length should be shorter and close to Dan's numbers?

27.5" high with an 11.5" bell is to small for any tuba without additional wrapping on the inside. I also assume, that the piece of tubing on the back where the hand rests is just a bras and not part of the instrument.

If you do plan to sell it, take way more pictures and from different angles. I think part of the confusion here might be because of the unusual angle at which this picture was taken. A "view from above" picture with a ruler beside is always pretty nice to potential buyers.

PMeuph wrote:I'm assuming that the length you got was from going around the outside of the tubing, right? If you went along the inside the length should be shorter and close to Dan's numbers?

I measured through the middle of the tubing (thought that was the best bet to cover all angles lol) I thought Dan's numbers were for Tuba's not Euph's?

Have taken quite a few more pictures if anyone wants to email me on C_Lomas@hotmail.com" target="_blank I can happily send them via email.

frisbena wrote:

PMeuph wrote:
I measured through the middle of the tubing (thought that was the best bet to cover all angles lol) I thought Dan's numbers were for Tuba's not Euph's?

If you want the lengths for a Euphonium, you just have to calculate half the lengths for the BBb tuba.

PMeuph wrote:

frisbena wrote:

PMeuph wrote:
I measured through the middle of the tubing (thought that was the best bet to cover all angles lol) I thought Dan's numbers were for Tuba's not Euph's?

If you want the lengths for a Euphonium, you just have to calculate half the lengths for the BBb tuba.

That is correct.

lol the measurements dont match up to either the F Tuba or halfing for the Euph. Trust me to have something awkward!

Why was it ever in doubt that it's a euph?

Have you tried playing it with a tuner? I'm kind of thinking you have a HP F tuba. (Either that or a mistake.....)