Tuba. Nominal pitch: 12-ft F.

Besson & Co

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Alternative Title

Tuba.

Instrument

Bass tuba

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Besson & Co

Place Made

United Kingdom ; London ; Europe ; England

Date Made

Circa 1931

Description

5 valves, Barlow model. Technical description: brass; water-keys on 1st and 3rd valve tuning-slides and on main tuning-slide. Valve type: 5 Périnet valves, bottom sprung; alignment by key on piston; copper-plated pistons. Repair History: The 4th and 5th valve caps have been adapted to give room for felt; new valve stems added on the 4th and 5th valves. The valves were copper-plated by Derek Farnell, Manchester circa 2003. Overall size: 882; bell 390. Sounding length: minimum 3552. Bore: mouthpipe at c 35mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 13.45; centre of 3 valve cluster at c 402mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (1,2,3) 16.9; centre of 2 valve cluster at c 582mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (4,5) 17.9; m.t.s. at c 771mm from mouthpiece receiver, tuning slide bores 18.75 22.85; at 1776mm from bell end, c 41.2; at c 1272mm from bell end, 58.3. B = 0.37. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. 14.3 - 13.4. Inscribed on bell "CLASS / A" / ribbon for "MEDALS OF HONOUR" but illegible / monogram probably "FB" / "BESSON & Co. / ``Prototype'' / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON / ENGLAND" / five pointed star; on side of valve casings, stems and top caps "1", "2", "3", "4", "5"; on 2nd and 4th valve casings "BESSON & Co." / five pointed star / "LONDON" within ellipse; on 2nd valve casing "124545". Purchased by lender with mouthpiece (5849) not previously associated. Specific usage history: Formerly used by Wally Jones in the Hallé Orchestra until the early 1960s.

Other Information

Specific usage history: Formerly used by Wally Jones in the Hallé Orchestra until the early 1960s.

Notes

A. Myers, bore 29.11.08, description 1.12.08; R. Parks, 29.11.08.

Measurements

882; bell 390.

Provenance

ex- Mike Johnson; ex- Marcus Cutts; ex- Stuart Roebuck; ex- Terry Nagle; ex- Wally Jones. ; on loan to the Collection.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

5848

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