How do you tell what model Besson BBb Tuba?

[Bandmaster]

I recently picked up Besson 3+1 BBb with 17" bell in silver REALLY cheap on a government auction website. The tuba's serial number is 42680X, which the best I can figure from various websites puts it at a manufacturing date of 1967. The tuba is in fairly nice condition with only minor denting, no scares on the bell, the silver plating is 100%, and the plating on the valves looks very good. It plays pretty too!

My question is how can I tell what model it is? The bell only says Besson, London - Paris - New York, Made in England. No "New Standard," no "Sovereign" or any other description or numbers. It looks just like the pictures of the newer 992 or 994 models and has the distinctive Besson knob on the bottom bow.

Any help somebody can provide will be much appreciated!

[imperialbari]

Photos would be helpful.

Sovereign tubas weren’t marketed until early 1983. And until the 983 and 980 they all had 19" bells.

If the valve buttons have sloping profiles and if the tuba is compensating, then it is a New Standard.

Klaus

[Wyvern]

'New Standard' will be the model - predecessor of the Sovereign 992 which only came out in the 1980's

Share us some pictures.

Congratulations on accuring one in good condition. I bet it is heavy - they were built like a tank!

[Bandmaster]

'New Standard' will be the model - predecessor of the Sovereign 992 which only came out in the 1980's

Share us some pictures.

OK, here goes... hot off the press (I mean fresh out of the camera)








I have only polished the bell so far, haven't had much time to fiddle with it the last week. The only big dent is the one on the side of the bottom bow. The 4th valve button (they have the sloping profile) is missing, I'll find one someplace. All the slides pull smoothly. Luckily I have a DW3 with the small shank that I had bought for my old Conn Eb, so I can play it properly. The only weird thing is that somebody in the past soldered a brass washer on top of the 1st valve which throws off the valve alignment if you use a standard felt. I plan to remove it and I have already contacted Bloke to get some of his synthetic washers for the valves. I even have an old Yamaha 201 case out in the garage that might just fit it. I plan to clean it up the best I can, have the dents removed, play with it for a few months and then flip for a good profit. Please don't be mad at me, but I only paid $200 for it.

Congratulations on accuring one in good condition. I bet it is heavy - they were built like a tank!

Yes, it is VERY heavy! And the knob on the bottom is fun too!

[b.williams]

Hello.
It is a Besson 226
Key BBb
Size 4/4
Valve Type 4 Comp.Pistons
Bell Diameter 17"
Bore Diameter 0.7302"
Height 40"
Finish Silver

[Paul Scott]

Yes, these were marketed (in the USA at least) as model 226. Below are some catalogue pages from 1958, when C. Bruno & Sons, Inc. were the distributors.

[iiipopes]

The best mouthpiece for a New Standard BBb is the Wick 1, if you have the air for it. It was designed for this tuba.

[Wyvern]

Hello.
It is a Besson 226
Key BBb
Size 4/4
Valve Type 4 Comp.Pistons
Bell Diameter 17"
Bore Diameter 0.728"
Height 40"
Finish Silver

They certainly seem larger than 4/4 when you are playing one - I would have said 5/4 and even then best to use playing stand to get at comfortable height to reach mouthpiece.

I would second a Denis Wick 1 mouthpiece being good match for this tuba.

[Highams]

I have an original 4th. valve finger button in raw brass if you want it?

pm me where to send.

CB

[Bandmaster]

Thanks all! My question now is what do I tell people it is when I go to sell it? I just searched Google and found no reference to a Besson model 226. Should I just label it a "New Standard" so as not to create confusion? Is the model 226 the same as the "New Standard" or are there any differences?

[imperialbari]

Paul’s catalogue is from the US importer and is printed in the US in 1958. The British New Standard catalogue from 1977 has this model as the 790.

Klaus

[butch]

Maybe I can just jump in this thread. I also have a Besson and I don't know very much about it.

It's a 3v compensating BB-tuba. The engraving says:

FB
Made by
Besson
England
New Standard

The serial-number is 4921XX, which dates it to 1971.

Does anyone out there on this forum has some more information about my tuba? Model? …

Thank you
Butch

[iiipopes]

I used to have a 3-valve comp of the same vintage. Besson made both 3-valve and 4-valve compensating tubas. As far as model number, it is academic as there was only the 3-valve comp, the 4-valve comp and the non-comp versions.

If I were selling it, I would simply state "Besson New Standard four valve compensating BBb tuba," with the condition and serial number, roughly correlated to the year of manufacture.

BTW - I keep in touch to the guy I sold mine to, if I need to borrow it back. My 3-valve comp had the best intonation of any tuba I've ever played. It was worth trading off the near-pedal tones for the in-tune 5th and even 7th partials. Just like the "dent" that F-tuba players say helps low C intonation, mine had a dent in the knuckle between the first and second valves. I had it fixed, and lost my intonation. So I took the round end of a small ball peen hammer, reintroduced the dent, and got my intonation back.

[b.williams]

Thanks all! My question now is what do I tell people it is when I go to sell it? I just searched Google and found no reference to a Besson model 226. Should I just label it a "New Standard" so as not to create confusion? Is the model 226 the same as the "New Standard" or are there any differences?

I would list it as a Silver Besson BBb 4-valved Compensating tuba with a 17 inch bell and small British mouthpiece receiver. Most people who would buy this horn will know what it is.