Besson CC 3+1 compensated.

[MTFULRUTUBA]

I had a friend that owned one.

He studied with John Sizemore of SC through the early to mid 1990's. Mr. Sizemore was a student of Arnold Jacobs. When in need of a tuba, Mr. Jacobs sold/gave this Besson CC tuba 3+1 to Mr. Sizemore and it remained in his possession for quite a while. At some point, mid-1990's maybe(?), Sizemore had it over-hauled (by whom I haven't a clue) but the horn looked like it came straight from the factory when returned. Didn't appear to be a cut horn to me, but I didn't study it very closely either. My friend then received this horn in trade for the CC tuba he owned at the time. As far as I know, haven't asked him even though we stay in touch, my friend still owns this horn. He was attempting to get some form of provenance of ownership from Mr. Jacobs right around the time Mr. Jacobs passed.

My recollections were that the tuba played well enough. Intonation was solid, response was good, but terribly uncomfortable for me to play due to the configuration of the 3+1. Of course, my buddy was taller and skinnier than me. Plus, he sounded great on it. Hope this is of some use.

[Rebel]

I don't get the "bell facing the wrong direction" comments.
Are you telling me that when tuba players in Britain play a piece on Eb the entire orchestra has to sit in a different chair then when they play pieces on a "normal" CC tuba?
If this is the only criteria for not purchasing an instrument (that one deems as superior) then why not just play it with the bell pointing straight up (on a stand, on your leg, whatever)?
As long as it gets the job done out in the hall I seriously doubt that anyone really cares if the bell is pointing left, right, upwards or backwards.

I fully agree with this statement. In our band one of our players has a Yamaha YBB-641 facing to the left and the other player and I both have top action tubas facing to the right. We have no issues with being in the wrong chair. We all have our bells facing upright and play well together. The only issue I can see on horn choice is if UNIFORMITY is required.... or is it CONFORMITY??

[GC]

There was a thread here last year about this topic relating to orchestras. I remember two issues: 1. does the bell face more toward the back of the hall rather than toward the audience, and 2. does the bell point toward or away from a microphone installation that causes issues for PA or recording engineers? Both these situations may cause problems that can require adjustments, and if the folks in charge aren't willing to adjust, guess who takes the blame.

[Wyvern]

I know in UK at some venues, there is objection to left (from player) facing bell if there is overhanging balcony, as the sound goes up underneath and not projecting over orchestra.

[thejester10276]

One just popped up at BBC