Posted by Paul Scott on December 14, 2003 at 10:15:47:
In Reply to: Vintage BBb's posted by Researcher on December 14, 2003 at 09:24:24:
Most makers, (King, Buescher, Martin, Conn) made both side/front action and top-action models in both their Eb and BBb tubas. Martin made the "Medium" (about 4/4) and the "Mammoth" (6/4 though some would say 5/4) with the option of side/front or top action. I own a Martin "Medium" and it plays rather well-it is a 3 valve side action BBb with detachable bell.
The best sources for info as to models are the old catalogues themselves. It's astonishing how many models of tuba/sousaphone the big makers carried (King carried 16 models in 1938). The fourth valve was an option available on virtually all of these horns and even the sousaphones-an extra twenty dollars in 1938.
I believe the side/front actions are more scarce because they were (and are!) a bit awkward to hold (esp. the big ones!) and also more prone to damage (it's easier to break off a valve stem or two when they're sticking straight out).