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Question for the TNFJ:

Which bore size valveset would you think would be the best match for a York "Monster" E flat tuba?

1 - .656

2 - .687

3 - .750

Any one of these is a logistically viable option. The original valveset (3 pistons) is .656 bore, and the BB flat horn that this horn's design is based on (Model 712) is in .750 bore.

Opinions backed up with specific (scientific, etc.) reasons or based on experience are greatly appreciated.

The York, monster Eb tuba I redesigned has a 4 piston and one rotary valved section of .687" bore. This is an amazing tuba. The sound is huge, the response is even in all registers and the intonation is superb. I have used it behind a 97 piece orchestra for works such as the Rite of Spring, Symphony Fantastique and the Franck Symphony in D Minor.

Hi hbcrandy,

Thanks for your reply - specifically, do the low A and A flat center well for you?

Also, can you share any pictures that will show how you routed the tubing, especially the 4th valve?

Thanks!

Here is the tuba. The 4th valve tubing goes up around the top bow. The 4th valve slide pulls downward to the right of the main tuning slide as you face the tuba in the player's hands. I have no problem centering any of the notes on the instrument.

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the picture - that's a great looking rig! Everything's laid out really well.

I also like the diagonal valveset - I've always felt they are a better ergonomic fit for me.

Is the fifth valve also .687? I'm assuming it is, considering the location.

I have played Randy's E flat York, it is as good as he states. My bass tuba is an E flat York Monster that has not been altered (Randy can tell you what bore it has). My York is not as versatile and takes more care in the lower range to get it to speak.

best,
Mark

I had .709 (1,2,3) - .748 (4,5) on mine. Was very satisfied. Wouldn't go smaller

The 5th valve bore is .687", also. I selected the bore size based on the work of the late Bob Rusk who successfully used the . 687" valve bore to make the smaller York BBb tubas into CC's. I have owned and played two of Bob's converted CC tubas and found the .687" valve bore to be quite open in all registers with good intonation throughout. The York Monster Eb tuba and the smaller BBb's share the same bell and bottom bow so they are somewhat related. Also, the .687" bore valves are readily available on older American tubas and Sousaphones. I asked Bob about using the .730" bore of the Conn valve sets. Bob said that, in his experience, the .730" valve bore created intonation problems on the Yorks. The original valve bore on the York Monster Eb tubas is .656", a bit small to suit me.

It was more of a coincidence going for the .709
I wanted to try larger, having such a good experience with the MW 2141
Nothing indicated thou that larger would make anything better
Experimented with several lead-pipes. Made BIG difference

Sold now BTW.....Might not be one of my brightest moments

I just realized we might be talking "apples and oranges".

The horn in question is a York "Monster" E flat, but not the 19.5" bell variety that is commonly encountered.

It is in fact the E flat model based on the "tall bell" York 712 (model 676?), so in effect, it might be a completely different animal from what we've been discussing up till now.



The original bore is .656, while the bore on its BBb cousin is .750 - - - -

bloke wrote:... I'm also wondering how many recently-designed models of German tubas (various keys/sizes) would benefit from something just a bit SMALLER than the obligatory/pasted-on 19mm / 3/4" bore valveset.

...I think you are on to something there....

bloke wrote: tremendous amount to trouble to experiment with different valveset bores on the same tuba...

No experimenting wanted here, hence the original question.

Considering the Besson Sovereign 19-inch bell Eb instrument is one of the best in-tune-with-itself instruments, has good depth of tone, and a significant number of players use it for either their "one all-round" or "substitute for CC" horn, and it has a @.687/689 17.45/17.5 mm bore, and is considered a "5/4" size for an Eb, I would think that would be a pretty good indication that .687/.689 (depending if you're English or Metric in your derivation) would be an optimum bore size.

Very interesting re: the York 700 series EEb. I never knew that beast existed and had never seen one!

I'd love to check it out when you're done, Bob. I do like the .656 valveset for smaller horns, but, think .687 may be more practical. To me, .750 seems to big and dark for smaller horns.

my two cents