York tubas used by British Military Bands

[sousaphone68]

I was intrigued this morning while watching the Rememberance Service at the Cenotaph in London on BBC1 to see that the massed bands had York Tubas and at one point the camera focused on the bell and leadpipe showing a sousaphone tunning bit being used to alter the angle of the pipe and the York name was clearly visible.
Does anybody know when the MOD moved away from Besson?
The bandsmen were using protective covers so I could not see the entire wrap but they looked to be Eb models.

[imperialbari]

Hardly American York’s which haven’t been produced in my lifetime.

After Besson/Boosey & Hawkes failed as a maker at least 3 companies continued their model line:

British LMI

German York, which has since folded

French Courtois, which has its low brasses made in Germany.

Besson/B&H made quite sharply angled tuba bits already 45 or more years ago. Purpose was better reach, vision, and/or height adjustments for special player needs. Especially the British 3+1P BBb compers are huge animals. Those bits that I remember were for the old narrow stems and receivers. I do not remember seeing them for the large receivers used since 1982. Conn sousaphone bits maybe are applicable here. I have several of these, but never felt the urge to use them on my Eb Besson 981.

Klaus

[Lectron]

Not american, no, but great Tubas with larger bore than the Bessons

After Besson/courtois purchased York, they put it down, thou the factory
(Schreiber factory in Germany) is still there with all it's tools and machinery
(purchased/handed from Besson) and coffee in the mugs

[sousaphone68]

That's the logo I saw this morning Lectrons picture a very good looking tuba has any body first hand experience and how does it compare with the 981.
Lectron you mention it's bore is bigger than a Besson can you put up the figures please

[Lectron]

That's the logo I saw this morning Lectrons picture a very good looking tuba has any body first hand experience and how does it compare with the 981.
Lectron you mention it's bore is bigger than a Besson can you put up the figures please

I really can't remember the valve bore, but it does affect the lower register quite a bit
making it more free blowing and richer. This while keeping the smoothness of the upper
register so well known and appreciated from the 981.

I do not own this instrument, just a borrow, but I am actively looking for one.
It is the best compensated Eb I've tried, and yes. They did also make a
beautiful BBb one.

I've previous stated that I prefer the York in all aspects over the 981,

Here's another Norwegians statements
A very good player, playing in Stavanger Symph. Orch.

[peter birch]

the York brand didn't seem to fare to well in the market place, but they did look smart on parade this morning and sounded very good. Our Guards bands have apparently given up using BBb tubas on parade because they exceed a safe manual handling weight limit.
As for the bore size, it is the same as the Besson 981, the only significant difference is that the lead pipe is not soldered to the bell
almost everything now belongs to Buffet Crampon, so they discontinued Courtois low brass in favour of the Besson range, and I suspect the York name has gone the same way

[Lectron]

As for the bore size, it is the same as the Besson 981, the only significant difference is that the lead pipe is not soldered to the bell

Yes, I see that now. The feel of a more open bottom can be due to
normal individual differences, but I've tried a few.....Biased?..Maybe ???

Not owning a York, 981 or 983 ATM I shouldn't, but I guess it's typical Norwegian
not being fond of someone having close to a monopole on the marked

[tuba.bobby]

Tbh I was under the impression that they were larger bore than the bessons. I like the silver plate better, the lacquer one (my own) just seems to lack that cleaness of a 981. Maybe I just haven't blown it in, but then again I've had it for 22 months now. Shrug.

[Wyvern]

Our Guards bands have apparently given up using BBb tubas on parade because they exceed a safe manual handling weight limit.

I think that applies to all the UK military bands. I have noted player using BBb in concert and then EEb on parade at same gig.

I have also seen Yamaha being played in British military bands on previous occasions

[peter birch]

Our Guards bands have apparently given up using BBb tubas on parade because they exceed a safe manual handling weight limit.

I think that applies to all the UK military bands. I have noted player using BBb in concert and then EEb on parade at same gig.

I have also seen Yamaha being played in British military bands on previous occasions

I think the band of the Gurkhas had Yamaha Neo BBb tubas in the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night, but then they are amongst the toughest troops in the world and would laugh in the face of health and safety

[imperialbari]

When I followed a Norwegian discussion some years ago it appeared like the York had the same dimensions as the Besson 981. Only it was lighter because the sheet brass was acquired from stock adhering to the metric system, so that thinner gauge brass sheets had been used.

Klaus

[Wyvern]

When I followed a Norwegian discussion some years ago it appeared like the York had the same dimensions as the Besson 981. Only it was lighter because the sheet brass was acquired from stock adhering to the metric system, so that thinner gauge brass sheets had been used.

Being lighter would make more popular for the military where weight for marching use is so important, particularly with modern EU Health & Safety legislation - but for sound projection I understand heavier gauge sheet metal is better.

It would be interesting to know the comparative weights of different makes?

As I have to hand I can say the JinBao 700 is 8.6kg (which did not seem light marching with it on parade this last week!)

[oedipoes]

When I followed a Norwegian discussion some years ago it appeared like the York had the same dimensions as the Besson 981. Only it was lighter because the sheet brass was acquired from stock adhering to the metric system, so that thinner gauge brass sheets had been used.

Being lighter would make more popular for the military where weight for marching use is so important, particularly with modern EU Health & Safety legislation - but for sound projection I understand heavier gauge sheet metal is better.

It would be interesting to know the comparative weights of different makes?

As I have to hand I can say the JinBao 700 is 8.6kg (which did not seem light marching with it on parade this last week!)

I marched with a Besson 994 recently in Brassband, and it was no fun at all...

[peter birch]

10kg must b the magic figure, the 981 is approximately 9kg and the 994 is almost 12

[Wyvern]

I might add I marched in the Whit Friday's this year with Miraphone BBb weighing 13.6kg - what a monster. Heavier than my 6/4 Neptune CC!