Rare ENGLISH BESSON BB-flat Concert Tuba Full Automatic Compensating System, made in England Start Price USD 1,750.00 Current Price USD 1,825.00 Time Left - Bid Count 4 Buy It Now Price USD 1,950.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, September 03, 2008 End Time Saturday, September 13, 2008 Location Wichita, Kansas See more about 'Rare ENGLISH BESSON BB-flat Concert Tuba' Description WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY 2525 East Douglas Avenue Wichita, KS 67211 Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858 Email: wbic@wichitaband.com Rare English Concert Tuba in the key of BB-flat by Boosey-Hawkes / BESSON (London), model 226 This superb tuba is construcetd with Besson's famed "full automatic compensating system", eliminating tuning problems on low C, low B, etc. The serial number is 551,303, dating the instrument to 1974. The Besson model 226 is a large bore tuba with upright 17 inch bell. Bore size is .7302 inches. The instrument has THREE compensating pistons. Condition is good, with dents to the end-bow and slides recently burnished out in our shop in Wichita. The original lacquer is worn maybe 10%. Original pistons are in good condition, showing minimal wear. A new Schilke #66 "B-shank" mouthpiece which properly fits the tuba is included, but no case. Add $150 to the price for a new deluxe padded gigbag from Pro Tec. Besson tubas and lower brass are today made in India. The last of the non-Indian tubas were virtually identical to our instrument, catalogued as their "model 992", with 19 inch rather than 17 inch bell diameter. This one's 100% English, of high quality, has the voice of a giant chthedral pipe-organ. Due to the full automatic compensating system, the tuba plays in tune easily throughout its entire range, eliminating any real need for the extra weight and complication of a fourth valve. Our two-year service warranty is included, as always! Highest recommendation! ******************************************************************************************** Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 18 employees including seven of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year. Here’s what we do to all used brass instruments we sell: The instrument is taken apart and everything washed clean. We don’t believe in chemical dips, but do use plenty of soap and water! Dings are next burnished from body, bell, end-bow and crooks. With a little effort, we can make things look "like new" again. After the body-shop work’s been completed, we assemble, lubricate and play test the instrument Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years: "ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace - whichever in our estimation is the more advisable - pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section. Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees." Wichita Band’s service warranty does cover dents and dings to your sax. If your instrument sustains damage we’ll burnish out the dents and make it look "like new" again. The cost you is absolutely nothing except shipping and insurance charges. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially "free" for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our "service after the sale" promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 3 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument "on approval" for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for Ebay, clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument. VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER/MONEY ORDER/CHECK/BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER/PAYPAL ACCEPTED. Credit cards not accepted from some countries. We must ship to the credit card billing address or paypal confirmed address with exceptions made only at our discretion. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask "what’s granny’s mellophone worth?" Do an Ebay search and you’ll be able to figure it out for yourself. Please note: Many scam artists are now sending fake "Ebay second chance" offers or "Ebay/Paypal invoices" to high bidders and other bidders on closed and active ebay items. If we send you an "Ebay invoice" or "second chance offer" it will be from wbic@wichitaband.com. Please call us on our 800 number (800-835-3006) or (001-316-684-0291 for international buyers) or email us directly at wbic@wichitaband.com, to speak or write to us in person about any auction, and please verify any second chance offers from us. Customers wishing to use US Postal Service: Please be advised that we will be happy to send your item by the US Postal Service if you so desire. However, please be informed that if your item is lost, stolen or damaged in transit, it could take one year or longer to finalize the claim with the US Postal Service. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items when shipped with the US Postal Service. Because of this problem, we cannot recommend the US Postal Service for anything other than inexpensive items. Please see our other auctions: Current E-bay auctions. Feel free to call or e-mail for any additional information. Wichita Band Instrument Co. 800-835-3006 payment line (USA and Canada), 316-684-0291 outside the USA and Canada order line, and info line, e-mail: wbic@wichitaband.com. OUR STORE Place a Bid!