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Would like to buy recording bell tuba in 'C' rather than Bb. Any of the common made in USA models will do. <$2K; Balt, MD/Wash area. Please contact Dan at applebd90@yahoo.com Thank you!

I would be very curious to hear what you would consider a common, USA-made, recording-bell model of CC tuba to be. I am not aware any such model of tuba was ever commonly made, and those that were made, like the CC King Symphony, ceased production in the 1940s. Finding one of those in playable condition would be akin to finding a Bugatti Type 57, only the King CCs are rarer.

The 1950's - 1960's recording bell Besson B-flat tubas feature long body bows and top-action pistons - both which define it as easier to shorten a B-flat instrument to C.

Most of those were/are 3-valve compensating, but some were/are (fully chromatic) 4-valve compensating.

I can't find a photo of it right now, but I had a Marzan CC tuba with detachable upright and recording bells.

Marzan were made in Germany and Switzerland, I think.

King CC


For sale? Yeah, probably.

< $2 probably not

PM if you are interested. I have a later model upright bell as well and cases for everything.

Correct, this was made in Germany... but remains (to me) to be the only CC recording bell tuba that I've ever encountered. And please note that this tuba (from 1971 or so) had the upright bell soldered on early in its life, and the recording bell sat untouched for nearly 40 years. Gleaming silver and essentially brand new.

Nice looking Tuba, Bort. How did it play?

AppleTuba wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:55 am Nice looking Tuba, Bort. How did it play?

Played great! Ergonomics were weird because the valves were very high and nearly horizontal

Mirafone offered bell front C's. In fact there was one in Orlando that belonged to Andy Hagerman but he moved away and I don't know where. And Horst Geyer in Tampa had and maybe still has one. There must be more out there. Good luck! Ed

I can't believe I forgot this it since I actually owned one, but King made some with piston valves, .687 bore, and the same outer branches as the old 1241's. The tuning was before the valves and there were two movable slides. A down pull one and a top pull one that had stockings like a trombone slide. Mine came from the old Goldman Band. I made a deal with Dillon's for something I thought I needed at the time. And there was someone on the other forum who had one as well. So what you seek does exist. Happy hunting, Ed

That's good news Ed. Thank you. Maybe the musician that bought your horn at Dillon Music will read this post! Where are you King CC, piston action, recording bell owner?

Those piston CC Kings are, I suspect, more rare than the 15 or so rotary CC are, and that’s saying something.

Unless I did something with it...
I believe I have one of the Besson tall top bows that I cut down an retapered (decades ago) when I considered making one of those things into a C instrument - but later decided against it.

If the "Besson" idea is worth pursuing (I have no opinion), I might be able to locate that piece to get someone started.

So far, I've established that there were C Recording Bell Tubas manufactured by King and Martin (possibly 1920-30's,) plus other horns that may have been modified to C. I would prefer no larger than 5/4 size and short action pistons, but since I realize these horns are rare, I need to be flexible. Thank you everyone! Dan

York-aholic wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 12:08 am Those piston CC Kings are, I suspect, more rare than the 15 or so rotary CC are, and that’s saying something.

So far, I've established that there were C Recording Bell Tubas manufactured by King and Martin (possibly 1920-30's,) plus other horns that may have been modified to C. I would prefer no larger than 5/4 size and short action pistons, but since I realize these horns are rare, I need to be flexible. Thank you everyone! Dan

hrender wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:13 pm I would be very curious to hear what you would consider a common, USA-made, recording-bell model of CC tuba to be. I am not aware any such model of tuba was ever commonly made, and those that were made, like the CC King Symphony, ceased production in the 1940s. Finding one of those in playable condition would be akin to finding a Bugatti Type 57, only the King CCs are rarer.

So far, I've established that there were C Recording Bell Tubas manufactured by King and Martin (possibly 1920-30's,) plus other horns that may have been modified to C. I would prefer no larger than 5/4 size and short action pistons, but since I realize these horns are rare, I need to be flexible. Thank you everyone! Dan

Many years ago I traded a Conn CC recording bell tuba to Joel Bristor in the MD/VA area. Thought that was roughly 30 years ago. As I recall, it was numbered 81J.

I will also relate the tale of someone i know that bought a Buescher sousaphone, was confused when he couldn't get it to play in tune, looked at the valve set, and spotted C stamped on them. What bell is more recording than a (bell front) sousa?

The same Buescher 4/4 - 5/4 characteristic of putting SUPER-LONG main slides IN FRONT OF the valve sections...

I have a recording one right now (19" bell - and I have the luxury of BOTH a rebuilt 4-valve top-action AND a rebuilt 4-valve FRONT-action valveset - PLUS Buescher bells and a proper collar to make a spare upright bell)

bore size (both config's) is .725" (will probably be re-tubed with nickel/nickel 18.5mm)

SOME d@mn day, I'm going to build myself the SAME instrument (though shaped differently) that I did with a Buescher helicon (in C). I just don't know when that's going to be...(probably, after I've croaked).

gone, but not forgotten:


awaiting future action:


so yes...I have one of these, and the amount which can be removed - pre-valves - is easy to be seen.
My experience is that - shortened to C - this is a rare exception whereby the instrument improves: