Insight on 821 F?

[Jesse Brown]

I myself haven't played the 821 F, but I have had a few well known professors tell me not to spend money on one. Mostly because of the intonation issues.
But again, I've never played one, that's just what I've heard.
Jesse

[bort]

I think little information can be gained by asking if it sucks or not. A literal answer (which you should expect) would only get you a description of "okay."

Unlikely though that a $12k tuba "sucks", though it might not be what you *like*.

[Alex C]

oops, snort!

[JHardisk]

Dearest pauvog1,

After a brief review of your previous posts, I've concluded that you've asked about darn near every F tuba model ever made. I think it is time for you to do the following:

Close your computer. (Most important step)
Go practice your F tuba.
When you feel like you understand F tuba (not just the fingerings), go take a road trip. Go to BBC, Dillon, WWBW and Custom Music. Play every F tuba you can get your hands on.
Make your own opinion.

Opinions are like noses.. everyone has one, and they all smell. Use your nose...

[Bob Kolada]

A number of very fine players use the YFB821 including Jim Self as do a number of people. Charlie Villarubia uses it almost exclusively. I think you should play one for yourself and see if you like it.

Are you sure you're not thinking of the 822? The 821 is the Bobo'd 621.

[Norm in Bellevue]

Some months ago I heard Chris Olka play the "Bobo'd" 821. As I recall, it was on loan from Yamaha. Chris said he liked it, and of course he sounded just fabulous on it.

[joshwirt]

Having played the production #001 several years ago for a few weeks, I can say that it was all the things I loved about my previously-owned 621 and 822 wrapped up into a single instrument.

The big thing for me was...ergonomics. I had a conversation with Roger about the 621 many years ago and he hated the same thing everyone does about the 621...the angle of the valve cluster. It would give me terrible hand cramps. So a more openly-wrapped and ergonomic valve configuration was developed as well as placing a larger bell on the instrument (supposedly you can get them with either bell if you ask for it when you buy it up front).

I found the instrument to have intonation that was "as good" as my previous Yamaha F's, however I remember the response of the 821 to be quite exceptional (something I really treasured about my early series 621). The low end honked like the 822 and I would imagine this thing would be a stellar quintet tuba also.

Worth the $12K? I dunno. There are some really great instruments out there now for much less $$$$

Will it make life easier for you? Maybe. Chris Olka would sound phenomenal on a garden hose with a plastic funnel.

Will it play itself effortlessly? Definitely not. Have you ever seen Roger Bobo actually play a tuba? There is nothing effortless about it...but man, what a sound!

Would it blend with a section? Probably, but as with all instruments, particularly the Yamaha's, it really comes down to the input...see previous comments about Bobo and Olka.

Is it fun to play? Most definitely!

-Josh Wirt

[Alex C]

A number of very fine players use the YFB821 including Jim Self as do a number of people. Charlie Villarubia uses it almost exclusively. I think you should play one for yourself and see if you like it.

Are you sure you're not thinking of the 822? The 821 is the Bobo'd 621.

I stand correct Bob. I should read closer but I spend all day reading closer, this is recreation. Apologies to all.

[Porkins]

I owned one of these for a couple of years. Fantastic tuba. I'll address your questions from my perspective, based on the horn I had...

Intonation: Does it suck or not?

The pitch is very comparable to a 621, which means it's excellent. A couple of alternates (I used 4 for the G at the top of the staff, for example) and I didn't have to pull slides at all.

Size (3/4 or 4/4, what does it compare to? Is it big enough for group applications: quintet, light orchestral stuff? Or is it best suited for solo stuff (recital horn)?

Despite the bigger bell (compared to a 621), I'd still rate this horn, by physical size and by sound, to be a small tuba (I'm not good with fractions, especially with F tubas). If you're familiar with the other Yamaha models, I think you would find it much closer to a 621 than an 822. Best suited for solo playing, imho... I wouldn't rate it as a horn that projects like crazy, but depending on the group and your approach, would definitely work great in a quintet or in a light orchestral setting.

Low Range: Does it suck or not?

Low range is, as on a 621 or 822, excellent. All the notes are there, and solid.

Any observations on tone color (I know this is subjective, but I'm just looking to see if there are any patterns with it).

Yamahas in general, and this model is no exception, have a clear, clean, sound with alot of core. Records great. Might be lacking in character compared to certain other F tubas, but that factor is a tradeoff for playability, I suppose.

Overall, an excellent instrument. Unlike EVERY other instrument I've ever sold, there were NO issues with this tuba that caused me to sell it (Just issues with me not making enough money to have such a large arsenal of instruments). If I found myself in a situation where I was in need of another F tuba, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another 821.

[Chen]

I don't know who the "well-known" professors are, but the 821 F is an excellent solo instrument. I played Roger Bobo's and wish I had one. It was before the 821 was in production, so I couldn't get one. If the 821 is the same as Bobo's gold one, then it's worth consideration. Between the HB-10/12 and 821, though, I'd still go with Hirsbrunner.