NEW ORLEANS — A distinctive wraparound tuba that was stolen last month from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans is back.

Creative director and musician Ben Jaffe said he recovered the 12-year-old Italian sousaphone Monday, thanks to a tipster who wished to remain anonymous. He didn’t elaborate on exactly how he got it back.

“We were notified late last week that it’d been spotted,” he said by phone. “It took a few days for us to make all the right connections.”

Tape used to spell out “Preservation Hall, New Orleans” in black-and-white letters is gone from the bell, Jaffe noted.

However, he said, the tape had protected the finish under it from 12 years’ wear and tear, so he could still make out the words.

Even without the lettering, he said, the sousaphone would be easy to identify because it is an Italian-made instrument, and a rarity in the U.S.