bloke wrote:Bob Kolada wrote:bloke wrote:The pre-John Fletcher B&H comp. E-flat featured a 15" bell, and - in my opinion - was the optimal bell diameter to offer adequate sound color contrast to cover an "E-flat bass" part in a brass band.
Do those generally play in tune with a modern size mouthpiece or do they need a cut? I've been eyeing the one for sale here for a while...
' pretty sure the 19" bell is the factor that caused the need for shortening those instruments, and not "people using normal-sized mouthpieces".
The old stock "Besson" small-shank mouthpieces (back when a few were still floating around, and though I view them as "stinkers") aren't super-small.
I seldom post here, but read once in a while. Lots of threads about the 3+1 e-flat peaked my interest. I agree with the opinion on the 15" bell vs 19".
I own a Besson e-flat (1970's) with a 15" bell and the small receiver. I have had it for about 29-years so I have had a chance to find quirks. Good all around horn, but best in BQ. The best mouthpiece that works for me is a Wick 4 or 5 (small shank). Wick 4 and 5 mouthpieces solved pitch issues I had with flat pitches above the staff, especially the D. The Wick also adds color and allows the horn to 'almost' cut like a f-tuba. I tried a Wick 3, but didn't work for me; didn't like the sound and pitch became an issue up top. The Wick 4 and 5 work very well for me on this horn. Tuba works very well in band with a B-flat partner. I am not a fan of the 19" bell. The Yamaha with a 17" bell is OK, but for me the Besson 15" bell tuba I have is the best Brit 3+1 I have ever played.
Previous owner that I bought this horn from found this tuba to maybe be too pretty, monochromatic or not much color, but did think it was the best tuba for the Hindemith Sonate, used it on some orchestra recordings, and I think I remember reading he thought the Besson e-flat 15" is an excellent BQ tuba. So despite the "pretty" short comings he still had some positive opinions for this horn. Not sure what mouthpiece he used, likely not a Wick 4, but I am sure he sounded better than me any day of the week on what ever he used. However, I believe the Wick 4 or 5 does give it more color.
Don