Hi all! I play a lot of sousaphone gigs. But I live in a very small space. I’d like to get a front action 3 valve BBb tuba to practice on, that won’t take up the entire corner of the hallway I can practice in. I play CC for my concert horn, so I’m not looking into getting anything high end. Just an affordable BBb I can practice on. It can be 4 valves I just don’t need the fourth valve. I’m not in any rush to make a purchase but I’d appreciate recommendations for front action BBb’s I should keep an eye out for. As of now all I know I should keep an eye out for are Yamaha 103’s.
Thanks for any advice.
Three Valve BBb
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- bugler
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- Art Hovey
- pro musician
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Re: Three Valve BBb
King
Conn 12J
Olds O-99
The King is more like a sousa but takes up more space.
The Conns and Olds are smaller but still very good and often inexpensive on Ebay.
Conn 12J
Olds O-99
The King is more like a sousa but takes up more space.
The Conns and Olds are smaller but still very good and often inexpensive on Ebay.
- sugawi
- 3 valves
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- The Big Ben
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Re: Three Valve BBb
That's one of the first I've seen in awhile which has a more realistic price (499.99). Someone said that Yamaha 103s are nice little horns and the price went through the roof. This same seller also has a Conn 5J ($999.99) and a King 1240/2340 ($599.99) at reasonable prices. The 1240/2340 is a 1241/2341 with three valves. I like the recording bell of the King for some occasions and situations but found handling it and getting around with it was a little clumsy. They take top more space, too, They need to be laid down on their back or put in a stand not just stood on the bell and eased into a corner. Upright bells are available but that's more money and good ones are not cheap.
- iiipopes
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Re: Three Valve BBb
What make/model/era sousaphone do you usually play? Reason for asking: for example, if you play a King souzy, then a King 3-valve tuba is a natural fit, especially if it has the recording bell, because the two instruments have the same bore and have a similar response due to the similar construction. That might help the TNFJ recommend a tuba for you.
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K
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- bugler
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Re: Three Valve BBb
I play a 1933 King but I don’t need it to feel the same or have similar characteristics. This is more for my ear and fingers. If I have a new tune I need to memorize, or to play with recordings, it would be helpful to have a horn that’s producing the same pitch with finger combinations as I’ll be playing with my band. I’ve used my baritone or my euphonium in the past. That has been a useful trick if I just need to memorize something quickly. But it’s just not the same as playing in the right octave.
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Re: Three Valve BBb
There is a nice, cheap Jupiter King 1140 copy at Baltimore Brass on line...
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- edsel585960
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Re: Three Valve BBb
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=92390" target="_blank" She's a good little player. 12J Conn. Can ship greyhound for about 75 bucks.
Conn 20-21 J
Conn 10J, Conn 26 K, Martin Mammoth, Mirafone 186, Soviet Helicon, Holton Raincatcher Sousaphone, Yamaha 103, King 1240.
Conn 10J, Conn 26 K, Martin Mammoth, Mirafone 186, Soviet Helicon, Holton Raincatcher Sousaphone, Yamaha 103, King 1240.
- iiipopes
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Re: Three Valve BBb
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Couesn ... 100623.m-1" target="_blank
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K