Posted by Rick Denney on February 06, 2002 at 10:13:32:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Besson F posted by Scott on February 06, 2002 at 01:34:57:
The F tubas used in England prior to Fletcher's switch to the Eb were almost all top-action, with one or more side valves beyond the first three (ala current euphoniums) and with or without compensation. This includes the tuba that Catelinet used.
There are always historical oddities, however. Boosey, Hawkes, and Besson all developed innovative concepts in competition with each other throughout their separate existance--even moreso than today when they are all one company. Bevan, for example, includes a picture of a turn-of-the-century Boosey cavalry tuba in F with three front-action valves and a side-action valve for the left hand. It looks remarkably like a Yamaha 621 in its overall shape and configuration.
Rick "who recommends Bevan's book for a very thorough discussion of old British F tubas" Denney