SOLD - Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 3+1 Eb Tuba - Just Overhauled!

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baridrummer
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SOLD - Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 3+1 Eb Tuba - Just Overhauled!

Post by baridrummer »

I'm selling a 1930's(?) Imperial Compensating 3+1 Eb tuba, completely rebuilt and playing beautifully. (I bought it from Wales.) Intonation is remarkable on this horn. Requires a small-shank mouthpiece, but comes with a Wick mouthpiece that serves it well. Pick up in NYC for $3300 firm (this is barely above breaking even).

Photos and more details at https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/msg/7535157287.html. DM me through that post. Thanks!
Last edited by baridrummer on Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
arpthark
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Re: (NYC) Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 3+1 Eb Tuba - Just Overhauled!

Post by arpthark »

Sweet tuba!

Based on the engraving and such I wonder if this instrument is from the 1950s as opposed to the 1930s.

Compare this engraving from 1938: https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... ousel-4428

with this engraving from 1952: http://www.tbonesullivan.com/images/tro ... erial2.jpg

The script is the same, but I notice yours is missing the Regent St address, which would lend credence to it being a 1950s tuba as B&H moved production to Edgware Road in 1948.

Not trying to be contrarian, just trying to help the instrument be correctly represented. I am in CT so I am fairly local to you; if I were in the market for an Eb I would be on this! Good luck!
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baridrummer
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Re: (NYC) Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 3+1 Eb Tuba - Just Overhauled!

Post by baridrummer »

(The second photo has no engraving btw.)

Yeah, a couple people on Facebook also insisted that this horn is much newer than the 1930's (and thus a supposedly more valuable instrument) because of its engraving. However, the serial number, particularly its number of digits, indicates a mid-30's vintage -- the restoration tech said 1934 I believe. But it could an entirely different vintage for all I know. Sometimes the serial numbers don't exactly match any of the lists you can find online.

(incidentally, the tuba I'm using most often now is a mediocre German-made York knockoff, so I have a snowball's chance in hell of dating anything from its serial number)
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