FS: York Master BBb with recording bell, $2,500

[arpthark]

I have decided to sell this York Master BBb with recording bell. The body was surplus from a Texas university and the bell was bought later, restored by Lee Stofer for the previous owner. I had the body for about a year. After getting the bell, I used it all summer for outdoor concerts, but it's hard to justify my keeping it now.

Plays great with a big sound, bigger and better than a King 1241 IMO. Four valves at .750" bore. Great intonation, very nice low range. I have to keep the main slide out almost all the way for A=440. These were made by Böhm & Meinl in Germany.

Some evidence of prior repair on the body with a few dents and dings but nothing major. A few spots of lacquer wear throughout and some cracked MoP inlays on the finger buttons. One finger button is not original. Valves and slides all work very well. My one complaint is the ergonomics of the valve section; the angle is a little uncomfortable for me. Rick Denney put an extender on his fourth valve which would be a welcome modification on this model, too.

Comes with hard cases for both the bell and body. I am asking $2,500. I could consider shipping in two parcels, but pickup in CT or around the Northeast is strongly preferred. PM or email beanhill brass at icloud.

[York-aholic]

Very nice!

They were indeed made by B&M for the Carl Fischer company who bought York Band Instrument Co in December of 1940. I would assume B&M made them for York/Carl Fischer after WWII (duh).

To the best of my knowledge they were based off of (ie built looking at or perhaps a picture of, a York 712/716) but did not use the mandrels, etc from YBICo. Rick Denny investigated this on his website.

The 712/716 is a bit narrower from side to side. The amount of first valve tubing above/below the casing is slightly different.

None of that diminishes how well these York Masters play. If I was closer…

[arpthark]

Bump.

[bort2.0]

What's the possibility level that an upright bell could be found for it? Or, a full stack upright bell replacement?

[arpthark]

What's the possibility level that an upright bell could be found for it? Or, a full stack upright bell replacement?

I’ve been looking for two years and haven’t found anything as far as upright bell. The tenon is conical and an uncommon size which makes using something like a King bell difficult.

Full bell stack replacement could be a possibility. I’ll take some measurements and see what the diameter is.

[York-aholic]

Dillons had a York Master for sale several years ago that had some sort of Jupiter upright (using a YM tenon on it. I seem to think it was a 17” diameter bell.

[martyneilan]

For years I read Rick D's posts about his York Master. Then I stumbled into one, with both the original and an added aftermarket upright bell. They make a very good "do-almost-everything" tuba. My only gripe is the single 4th valve slide that I keep most of the way out, I think Rick's horn had a second 4th slide on the wide top loop. I may eventually get the slide extended or add a dependent 5th valve in the 4th loop, neither is really necessary. The only mod I made so far was desoldering the strap loops to not poke me in the gut.
A traditional Helleberg style mouthpiece gives a full, rich, and clear sound, and with something like a PT50 you can get as big and dark as needed for just about any environment. And the original bellfront can't be beat for outdoor concerts!

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