TubeNet

Unlike upright bell horns, these things usually sell for pretty cheap prices on squeeze-bay. That may be your best low-buck source. I have also noticed that every now and then Baltimore Brass (in the shops link) has a recording bell tuba for a very low price.

Its mostly supply and demand - there are still a lot of old bell front horns floating around out there, and most people won't touch them.

(FWIW, I miss mine even though I didn't really have too much of a legitimate need for it.)

Is there any particular reason why you need or want a recording tuba. I've been wanting to try one out of my own, preferably a 4 valve BBb BAT.

Hank74

The King 2341 at BBC is a great cheap horn. You should really check it out.

Well Josh, I wish you luck in finding one. If you come across one that is in a BBb key and has 4 valves, send me a pm or e-mail at my profile since I might be interested.

Hank74

Check out this website and listing, while it's still active:

http://63.126.125.94/cgi-bin/classified ... =retrieval

You may also try to contact "Jim" at jemr57@msn.com. He's probably got what you're looking for: Conn, York, Martin, Reynolds, bell-front, upright bell, 3 valve, 4 valve, etc.

Hank74 wrote:and has 4 valves

For the kind of playing you will probably be doing on a bellfront (ie mostly not serious concert literature) 3 valves will probably more than adequate. Many of these old horns were built with the 3rd valve on the flat side anyway, so 23 is a hair flat but 13 is about spot on. Then 123 is just a little sharp and easily lipped. A lot of the big old horns had excellent false tones, so the fourth valve isn't really missed. Eb is a squirrely open (you just have to get used to it), D is 2, Db 1, C 12, and low B 23. Once you get used to the false tones they are suprisingly easy on many of these very conical, medium bore, large bell flare horns.

Darn, I am really missing my Martin right about now.