Completely restored Besson F-tuba

[kathott]

It looks beautifully designed, with a great sound.........
......and really out of tune

[Untersatz]

It looks beautifully designed, with a great sound.........
......and really out of tune

It looks out of tune???

[Lingon]

...and really out of tune...

Interesting observation. Could you please elaborate?

[jwjeffrey]

Besson-FEb-Tuba-F.jpg

This isn't the same F-Tuba that came with an E-Flat tuning slide so you could from F TO E-flat is it?

[Harri Miettunen]

Besson-FEb-Tuba-F.jpg

This isn't the same F-Tuba that came with an E-Flat tuning slide so you could from F TO E-flat is it?

I think it is the same model, but better to ask Mark Carter.

[Harri Miettunen]

I've stated this many times here...Tucker Jolly has one that absolutely rocks. Clean pitch top to bottom. Beautiful sound. I want that tuba! Akron U owns one which originally was a 3 valve and had a tritone valve added. upper range is gorgeous, closer to bottom of the staff not so much but still usable. Harri, I am jealous...

Thanks for comment

[Harri Miettunen]

Some pictures.

Thanks Harry, looks like a really nice instrument!

Thanks!

[Harri Miettunen]

For those interested, there is a Besson 3+1 F that looks to be in great shape at BBC.

In BBC Symphony?

[Harri Miettunen]

' curious little tubas...

Curious indeed. That model of instrument is responsible for my passion to find a viable cimbasso style instrument. When first hired for my orchestral job, the orchestra also performed opera in the pit. My first season, we did La Boheme. The conductor, the guy who used to travel with Pavarotti and conducted all his performances, insisted that I use a locally owned Besson 3+1 compensating F tuba. He thought it would work much better for La Boheme, even though the part is really insignificant. I hated the experience. That horn had so many intonation quirks and uncentered pitch issues that it further deepened my dislike for all F tubas and spurred me to find a solution for these types of situations that ultimately led to my current cimbasso.

My experiences are not necessarily the norm. Didn't Catelinet premiere Vaughan-Williams on one of these? I heard he loved the horn. To each his own.

Thanks for the comment. This instrument has been a really good tool for me in its right place. I don`t use it often but for example The Fantastic symphony is good on it. Also some solo pieces work well. I think this is the horn that is in the picture together with Catelinet and Vaughan Williams.


http://www.google.fi/imgres?hl=fi&biw=1 ... 1,s:0,i:83" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

[cambrook]

Harri,

BBC referred to Baltimore Brass Company

http://www.baltimorebrass.net/index.php?cat=5" target="_blank

[Harri Miettunen]

I guess you have to "friend" Mark Carter to see it.

' not much to see, other than one of those stubby Besson/B&H 3+1 comp. F tubas all shined up.

fwiw, some play better than others. The best of them seem to only have a serious intonation problem on F and E above the staff (similar to the early 20th c. large Eb tuba problem). A "heroic" player can push those pitches in tune. AJ's recording hinted that the problem on one he was using trailed down to the D as well.

Thanks for the comment. I think most instruments have some unperfect notes. I allways look for suitable instrument for each piece.

[Harri Miettunen]

Harri,

BBC referred to Baltimore Brass Company

http://www.baltimorebrass.net/index.php?cat=5" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Ok, how do you like it?

[jorgeskid]

Someone should come restore the one at the University of Miami

[Jay Bertolet]

Someone should come restore the one at the University of Miami

LOL! That was the instrument I used and disliked so much. Respectfully sir, I would disagree. That said, the guy who did the work on Harri's instrument did a fabulous, impeccable job. I'm positive that the finished project would look great.

[UDELBR]

Used to be one just like it at NTSU (now UNT) too. N a s t y . . .