Small tubas

[tubadooba]

No! The 18 will make the horn sound shallow and trombone-y. Quite the contrary - you already have a very fine mouthpiece for your tuba. I wasn't going to recommend Schilke because they are more expensive, and people either love them or hate them, because their backbores have a different taper, but since you already have one, you are good to go! -- You don't happen to play a Schilke 59 or 60 on your bass bone, do you?

From the Schilke Website: "67...Similar to the "SH" model, but slightly larger. The contour is also similar to the #66 but offers improved tonal response." And yes, it has good tonal response. (SH means, "Schilke Helleberg," and it is similar to the Conn Helleberg 120S; Schilke also claims their model 66 is designed from an "original," claiming they have a mouthpiece actually played by August Helleberg from which the 66 is supposedly derived. But I digress....)

I was in my local music store a few years ago, and the retired band director who taught low brass privately at the store had his Reynolds Contempora 3-valve tuba in the shop (The Contempora is similar to your King 1135's big brother, the King 2340). I asked to try it. He had a 24AW and the tuba sounded thin. I asked if they had a tuba mouthpiece with a deeper cup under the counter. They offered up a Schilke SHII, which is also similar to your 67. I put it in, and the tone had much more richness and fundamental. The teacher was surprised. His exact comment was, "I didn't know that tuba could sound that good!"

Oh - and the mouthpiece, having been made so long ago, was probably personally made by Scott Laskey, a recognized expert in tuba mouthpieces.

So stick with your Schilke 67. It matches your horn very well, indeed!

Yes, I use a Schilke 60 for my bass 'bone.. Great rim. Thanks for the advice on the 67. Working on centering my tone and breath support. My buddy tells me to put more meat in the 'piece. Thanks again.

[Wyvern]

Perhaps someone can find one and have Jinbao build a copy.

I would have to be convinced of the need to make another model 3/4 large bore rotary BBb tuba - our Prague tuba very well fulfils that requirement and plays so well I cannot think would be bettered
http://www.wessex-tubas.com/pocket-kaiser/

[tubadooba]

Perhaps someone can find one and have Jinbao build a copy.

I would have to be convinced of the need to make another model 3/4 large bore rotary BBb tuba - our Prague tuba very well fulfils that requirement and plays so well I cannot think would be bettered
http://www.wessex-tubas.com/pocket-kaiser/

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I've been eyeing your products for some time now. When I DO purchase a new tuba I'll most likely grab one of yours. I only wish you had a dealer in Southern California! I wonder if your wessex tuba gig bag would be suitable for my King 1135? Cheers, and play it low. Matt

[J.c. Sherman]

Look to the Wessex, or to a use 184 BBb.