Any info on a Besson 215 tuba?

[otakuphill]

So when I purchased a besson tuba cheap I thought about selling so I contacted besson with the serial number to get info. After almost a year with it I've come to love the tuba and now I'm curious about more info.

Besson told me it was a
1963-64 215 Eb Bass

And that's it. Not a modal name, specs, worth, origin, or anything.

Anyone know anything?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sqgxr8klfnac3 ... 7.JPG?dl=0

[otakuphill]

[sousaphone68]

It could be a Besson New Standard a picture of the engraving and a picture of the rear of the valve cluster would help to confirm.
If not a New Standard I think it could be Besson's version of the Imperial.
My first tuba was a BH Imperial Eb with 3 valves great player lovely valve action good intonation very enjoyable to play.

[imperialbari]

Not a 3P, but a 3+1P compensating 16" Besson New Standard Eb tuba. If 3P, the second branch of the 3rd loop would have gone in a semicircle back to the first piston casing.

Not as voluminous a sound as the later 19", but a better bite in marching contexts and more clarity in lower dynamics.

If the valves are reasonably tight, you should keep it for occasions, where big tubas do not really fit in.

Klaus

[imperialbari]

The 4th piston casing may be seen through the 2nd slide pull ring.

[Scubatuba]

This is from a 1958 catalog