Higham Bbtuba

[Gband]

I have a very old Higham (high pitch?) Clear Bore model Bb tuba. The lead pipe has been changed and although it is the same length as the original it is extremely sharp. Also the valve tuning is atrocious. I have temporarily fitted a longer piece of pipe to it which makes it play in Bb pitch and the valve tuning is much better, however I have had to add a very long length of pipe to do this and I am puzzled. Any ideas? Also any suggestion as to how I could find out when it was made?

Gband

[Euphistuba]

I've always suspected all my horn needed was a little pie to be really great.
Mmm. Pie.... Gotta get some now.....

[imperialbari]

http://www.angelfire.com/music2/thecorn ... s_h_k.html

[imperialbari]

Wasn't the old British high pitch at A=459HZ?

[Gband]

Hi

Thanks for your reply, I didn't realize that High pitch would be that much higher. I''ll have another tinker with it and let you know how that works. Any idea where I could get information about year of manufacture? A friend has suggested around 1914, it isn't plated and I would imagine that most tubas built at this time would be plated. It does make a really nice warm sound, which is why I would like to get the tuning sorted.

Gband.

[imperialbari]

Look for a serial #. The bell area around the rear from the leadpipe or on the valve casings are likely places. My link has some serial numbers down the page.

Aired by iPad

[Gband]

Thanks The serial number is 45997. I'm new to this so not too sure how to get to your serial numbers link.
Gband

[imperialbari]

A good start would be about reading my first posting within this thread.

If you are not at home with getting relevant information from an incomplete list of dated serial numbers, we will find out about that later. But then there is a number very close to yours, so that your instrument may be dated within one or two years.

Klaus

[Lingon]

Thanks The serial number is 45997. I'm new to this so not too sure how to get to your serial numbers link.
Gband

Funny, my Eb is somewhat near your's numberwise at 435xx and is thought to be from about 1889.

[imperialbari]

... my Eb is ,,,,,,,,,, at 435xx and is thought to be from about 1889.

Which fits with the listings behind the said link.

[Gband]

My guess is that your date is way more accurate than the (1914) one I have been given. The numbers on the http://www.angelfire.com/music2/thecorn ... s_h_k.html" target="_blank suggests that my Bb could be dated at around 1892.

Gband

[imperialbari]

Yes!

The catch is about from when in 1892 the instrument behind the provided number was made. With the implied number of instruments made per year during that period the safe guess would be:

No earlier than 1892, no later than 1893.

And the Clearbore patent wasn't exactly new at that time.

If your instrument is pitched at A = 459Hz, the percentage of lengthening needed to get at a pitch of A = 440Hz would be (459/(440*100))% of the theoretical length of your tuba. The real length is shorter than the theoretical length, as it is influenced by the bell effect.

Klaus

[imperialbari]

My 1870 Besson Eb 3+1P non-comper is in high pitch. The male branches of the main tuning slide is heavy gauge German silver non-drawn tubing with a lengthwise seam. No modern equivalent found so far.

Some left over tubing from experiments with retuning of a bassbone 2nd valve was used to extend said male branches. The short one allowed for a sleeve/ferrule, the long one did'nt. Hence the plumber's silicone tape and the traces of duct tape used for tightening joints:

[Gband]

Really grateful for all the information. I have played about with the tuning slides but it isn't having much of an impact up to now, I'll keep tinkering. Your adaptations look very impressive, I also have an old Besson non compensating 3 valve Eb which has been converted to low pitch and an old Hawkes non compensating 3 valve Eb which has also been converted. The Besson needs some work on it but the Hawkes plays reasonably well. The biggest issue with the Hawkes is the fact that the main tuning slide(Due to the conversion) sticks out and I have to be careful how I hold it because the water key opens when I play it holding it normally.

When I have figured out how to I will send you a picture of my Higham Bb.

Gband