Besson 3 Valve Compensating BBb Tuba SOLD.

[b.williams]

SOLD.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/201471533912" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank?

[b.williams]

clean horn, would that be considered a 4/4 size?

Yes.

[Donn]

On the contrary, very much a compensating tuba.

[thevillagetuba]

On the contrary, very much a compensating tuba.

Please explain when 99% of all articles talking about compensating tubas are all 4 valve horns.

A 3-valve compensating horn is possible and pretty common. A compensating horn just refers to a horn that is configured in such a way that extra tubing is automatically added when valves are combined. I'll be honest in that I do not understand all of the process of how it works, but you can tell from the wrap of the valve slides that there is extra tubing for each one and that the third slide loops back into the first (which would not happen on a non-compensating horn).

I am sure that there are plenty of people on this forumn that are more knowledgeable than I am on this subject that could better explain the process by which these horns work, however I can assure you that this is a compensating horn.

[Donn]

villagetuba above specifically describes the 3 valve system.

The 4 valve system doesn't compensate combinations not involving the 4th valve, e.g. 2+3.
The Four-Valve Compensating System

[thevillagetuba]

So basically, the extra tubing is to keep the horn more in tune for differing combos of valves traditionally out of tune on non-compensating horns?

That is correct, yes. Compensating horns are naturally more in tune than their non-compensating brethren without lipping or slide pulling. 3-valved horns take care of the combinations that are out of whack between valves 1-3. Whereas a 4-valved compensator is made so that when the 4th is depressed, it pitches the horn a perfect fourth lower and the extra tubing is added to allow valves 1-3 to be the correct lengths for the new key (Eb to Bb or Bb to F).

[b.williams]

I found a video of someone playing the exact horn as the seller. Very rich and buttery tone..intonation, well..might be the player. (not affiliated with OP or person in video). I like the tone enough to say I would like to own a horn like this.

https://youtu.be/U55sfG-OaG0" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

You can for the low price of $600.

This horn is not stuffy. That reputation is more applicable to the 4 valve versions (3+1). Having said that, they are no different than any other tuba. You have to learn how to play them.

[b.williams]

On the contrary, very much a compensating tuba.

Please explain how a 3 valve compensating system works, different fingerings? As far as I knew only 4 valve horns could truly be compensating.

Here you go.
http://www.dwerden.com/comp/aCompIntro9 ... ow_F4.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

[TheGoyWonder]

Highly recommended for band use. False tones are okay, but they start at D not at Eb. 3rd valve can pull for an okay low Eb if needed bad enough. Maybe the most notable playing characteristic is it likes fairly hard articulations, to the point that would "splat" other tubas. You get a nice "thump" instead, generally agreeable in most styles.

The biggest problem is that it slots so well and so ruthlessly in tune you'll have trouble matching sectionmates whose equipment exceeds their talents (such as the ex-music major from hell with a giant CC tuba or tiny F tuba). You'll find just how bad everybody's D and G is in tune.

[HuffPuffTuba]

Why no case?

[b.williams]

Is it silver plated?
The pictures sorta look like it, but some pictures - with odd lighting - end up looking that way...

It is satin silver.

[b.williams]

Why no case?

I bought it without one.

[bigtubby]

I found a video of someone playing the exact horn as the seller. Very rich and buttery tone..intonation, well..might be the player. (not affiliated with OP or person in video). I like the tone enough to say I would like to own a horn like this.

https://youtu.be/U55sfG-OaG0" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

You can for the low price of $600.

This horn is not stuffy. That reputation is more applicable to the 4 valve versions (3+1). Having said that, they are no different than any other tuba. You have to learn how to play them.

Dave Bargeron has used a newer model of this for years as did several of his bandmates in Gravity (including HoJo himself at times). I owned a Boosey that was virtually identical to yours and it is a great player.

Skip ahead to 2:26

[b.williams]

I found a video of someone playing the exact horn as the seller. Very rich and buttery tone..intonation, well..might be the player. (not affiliated with OP or person in video). I like the tone enough to say I would like to own a horn like this.

https://youtu.be/U55sfG-OaG0" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

You can for the low price of $600.

This horn is not stuffy. That reputation is more applicable to the 4 valve versions (3+1). Having said that, they are no different than any other tuba. You have to learn how to play them.

Dave Bargeron has used a newer model of this for years as did several of his bandmates in Gravity (including HoJo himself at times). I owned a Boosey that was virtually identical to yours and it is a great player.

Skip ahead to 2:26

Mine was made in 1971 about the time of the video. Maybe his and mine were cousins. BTW, his was an EEb four valve and mine a three valve BBb.

[bigtubby]

Mine was made in 1971 about the time of the video. Maybe his and mine were cousins. BTW, his was an EEb four valve and mine a three valve BBb.

I didn't realize that, thought those were redesigned BBb's. Man that is a big-*** Eb! It makes my York Monsters look tiny.

Also didn't realize that they had used that old 3V BBb design so long. According to the serial number lists my Boosey was built around 1904. And very similar to your 1971 Besson:

<Edit>
Here is a great marching section from back when women were women: