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My 1919 Buescher 4/4 front action BBb has some leaks in the valves, as one would assume. What are the odds of finding a valve set replacement? Are there any other brands that would be interchangeable(same bore)?

I think I need to go into the valve set manufacturing business.

harrell wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2026 9:57 am My 1919 Buescher 4/4 front action BBb has some leaks in the valves, as one would assume. What are the odds of finding a valve set replacement? Are there any other brands that would be interchangeable(same bore)?

I think I need to go into the valve set manufacturing business.

4 or 3?

I'm thinking the bore on these is a little larger than King. Can you measure?

I have a King 1240 that I am considering parting out...

It is a 3 valver but I would love for it to be 4. I'll measure later today and post.

You can have it rebuilt for about what you’d pay for a new valve set that isn’t leaky. Or, try your luck and find a beater 4v with good valves.

Measuring at the tuning slide, looks around .755-.760-ish.

Sousaswag wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2026 2:59 pm You can have it rebuilt for about what you’d pay for a new valve set that isn’t leaky. Or, try your luck and find a beater 4v with good valves.

You are correct but I just wanted to throw this out there.

Most of the common Conn sousaphones are .734" bore, and the regular large bore Buescher tubas have always been really close - I'm not sure whether they are .725" or .726", but right there somewhere.

Weril/Dynasty sousaphone bore size is .728". You might find one of these trashed somewhere that features four valves. There would be some work to do, because the fourth valve circuit on those was built to follow the circle of the instrument. Additionally, the nickel plating on those particular pistons was pretty thin, and you might end up with some pistons that are worn down to the base metal.

The sousaphones made by Selmer USA during the 50s through the 70s (Buescher, Bundy, Selmer, Signet) featured valves just like the very very old Buescher valves (and same exact bore), though the casings and caps had a different appearance.

Economically speaking, robbing a valve section off of a viable sousaphone - taking one instrument out of service to improve the playability of another instrument - would probably define taking a viable instrument out of service to somewhat improve the playability of another instrument which isn't really worth any more money than the one taken out of service.