Posted by Mike's comment on July 26, 2002 at 12:33:00:
In Reply to: Re: Mike Johnsons's tuba conversions posted by Eb conversion a on July 26, 2002 at 11:55:45:
The other is my personal EEb, a 1970 Besson New Standard. The 4th valve is a
rotax valve and played by the left thumb behind the 1st valve slide. The
valve section is completely removable, as is the mouthpipe (I have 3 pipes).
The support pin is removable and adjustable for different chairs. The Bell
was shortened, and at the moment is being cut to 17".
The pistons were rebuilt with electroless nickel. Honing of casings and
grinding of pistons was done by an engineering co. who make parts for racing
cars!
If you want to know what it sounds like try the Halle Orchestra recording of
"The Planets" on the Hyperion label.