TubaForum.net

Hi,
I have a besson compensating Bb tuba from about 1920 here (serial number 111130) and the second valve is missing. The valve specialist I asked about rebuilding the missing valve told me that he would have to take the tuba apart completely to measure the valve casing which makes it too expensive.

So I want to ask if anybody knows someone who ownes such a tuba and could provide me with preferably exact measures of the second valve or if anybody knows some workshop who holds spare parts of such old instruments.

It's a Besson compensating / enharmonic Bb tuba.

I'd appreciate any help in this matter.

Kind regards

I strongly suspect that the Tuba is beyond economic repair (in terms of a new replacement valve), well short of someone having a scrap instrument for donor parts. That said three other options come to mind:
# It might be that the Eb and BBb shared the same valve set and if so that gives the options of either using or copying common parts. As a suggestion measure (and post) one of the remaining valve’s barrel diameter and length. IIRC someone here does have the Eb version.
# Compensation is nice but having a working Tuba now is even better. IIRC your Tuba came in non-compensating form too and maybe an alternative valve set would suit your needs and be a more cost effective route to a playable instrument.
# Contact bisontuba here, he has a lot of old instruments and might know ‘stuff’ that could help you

I hope that my two cents worth helps in some way. The assumption is that you’re talking about a BBb rather than a Bb Euphonium.

Hi 2nd tenor,

thanks for the reply and of course you're right: it's a BBb tuba. Thanks for the correction!
The instrument maker I contacted in Germany would make a new valve for about $ 140 which seems to be quite reasonable but he needs a valve to measure the dimensions or the exact measures. Otherwise it really would be beyond considering.

And thanks for the hints - I will try my luck and see how far I will get!

Best
kingjoe71