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Good day,
Quick question for those who might know. Would a York monster Eb bell fit in a Besson Eb tuba? The 981/982/983 series of Eb tuba.

Thanks in advance.

Never had a York Monster in my hands, but from seeing quite a few illustrations it is my impression that the top and bottom bows of the Besson Eb tubas are considerably narrower than those of the York Monsters.

Just measured my British made Besson 983 from 1999. measured by tape it is 32cm (12,6") in circumference just above the bell ferrule. Due to the angled profile and the width of the tape the real circumference may be a tiny bit less.

The lesser diameter of the bows may be the factor making the Bessons less impressive in breadth of sound. But likely also the factor making them better in tune than the York, Holton, and Conn monster Eb tubas.

Klaus

No, the York Monster bell is far too large. The small York 15" bell might work. I'll check on that and reply again.

Hmm... Dang that sucks. What bells would fit the Besson? I might be able to get one real cheap but the bell has seen some rough times. Trying to figure out what I could replace it with if I do buy it.

Thanks, you all are great.

What about a Besson bell? I e-mailed FH Lambert last year and they had some Besson 19" bells left over in their factory. I think the cost was around 300£ + Postage.


http://www.fhlambert.com/industries/bra ... QQCmejRyHk" target="_blank

PMeuph wrote:What about a Besson bell? I e-mailed FH Lambert last year and they had some Besson 19" bells left over in their factory. I think the cost was around 300£ + Postage.


http://www.fhlambert.com/industries/bra ... QQCmejRyHk" target="_blank" target="_blank

Meh. I find these bells to be kinda thick and I was hoping to find something different. Why get the same old when you can do something different?

Sam Gnagey wrote:No, the York Monster bell is far too large. The small York 15" bell might work. I'll check on that and reply again.

I'm not sure the difference is that significant.
As I own all of the above I'd say a York Monster Eb bell throat is just a little bigger than a Besson. My close-fitting Wallace practice mute works in both.
The 15" York bells really would be much too small as a Besson replacement.
The main difference between Besson 19" and York 19" bells might just be the length? Given that (and Mr Gnagey might give insight here?) could an older King Bb bell work if you like that sort of thing?
I posted a picture on here a while back showing 15" & 19" bell Yorks, a Willson 3400 and a Besson 982. I'll dig it out if I can find it.


Mr Bobo used a Besson bell on a Miraphone D tuba (184 or 185 originally?).
Mike Johnson successfully popped a Hirsbrunner F bell onto a Besson Eb. That tuba worked great and is being used professionally I think. I don't know the Hirsbrunner model bell used but Mike would probably help you out. He's on Facebook - Michael Johnson - tell him Malcolm Peach sent you (whatever good that will do!).

One last thing, I've got a German made 17" bell Besson 980 which has much thinner metal in the bell other models. A subtly different beast to older Bessons. I had a German made 982 which had the usual thick brass by the way. I've no idea if that's standard now on 980's - I tried a few but just focused on how they played (quite differently...).

Good luck!
MP

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