Tuba shopping question

[hald]

I'm shopping for a tuba and want guidance on some tubaeuphonium questions, I hope someone can help, or direct me to information.

1) If a tuba or euphonium has a removable bell, can the bell be replaced with a different one so long as the diameter where it joins the instrument is the same? For example, can I put an upright bell on an instrument that has a forward facing bell (and vice versa)?

2) How do you determine from pictures or specs if a tuba is designed for playing while sitting? Are the ones designated "concert" meant to be played while sitting?

3) A tuba seller I talked with described an extention pipe that allows you to adjust the height of a mouthpiece on a tuba. Does anyone know what the device is called? Where I can find one?

4) What are opinions on 3 valve compensating tubas versas 4 valve compensation tubas?

Thanks in advance

-hald

[davewerden]

First, I suggest you post the same question on TubeNet. They have more tuba players as members where there forum has more euphonium players.

1) In all probability you would need to find bells from the same manufacturer. It is doubtful they would fit otherwise. If the manufacturer is the same you MIGHT get by with bells from a different model, but that is not a sure thing. But if the manuf. made both a bell-front and a bell-up version of the same horn, you would be in great shape if you can find both.

2) a: it should be obvious from the picture if the horn is designed only for marching (it will point forward), and b: almost certainly.

3) If it didn't come with the horn originally you probably don't care. Look at a Sousaphone. There is a last part of the leadpipe before the mouthpiece that is adjustable (and removable). It is often called a "bit."

4) For a 3-valve compensator, you may not have low notes you need, especially if it's an EE-flat or F. 4-valve compensators are fine; that's what I use (a Besson Sovereign EE-flat) and it's fine for solo and chamber, or for the EE-flat part in brass band. I don't think it would suffice for a large band or orchestra.

[hald]

Thanks, that helps a lot!

-hald