Wessex Tubas - worth it?

[thegreatrodinkis]

Im a student tubaplayer, and im looking to move from my current Cerveny piggy in CC to an F so that i can have more ease in the higher orchestral excerpts and solo pieces that i play so often. Upon looking around you see obviously that f tubas are not the cheapest thing in the world, but i happened to come across these on the wessex website
http://www.wessex-tubas.com/f-tuba-brahms/" target="_blank
They look pretty in the least, but i was wondering if anybody here had had experience with using them at one point or another or has possibly owned one in the past. I was thinking about purchasing one and trying it as theyre only about 2700$ US, but if theyre not worth it i wouldnt waste the time and money and would rather save up for a larger more expensive name brand horn.

[bort]

Remember -- F tubas are used to have a different tone quality in the upper range. They are not an "easy button" for "high notes," beyond what you'll get out of the meager jump of a 4th of an octave going from CC to F.

General answer -- Wessex Tubas are probably worth what they cost, but you are also paying for the "new" factor.

[bigboymusic]

I can not speak for the F, but the couple E flat horns I have played I really was impressed with. Like was said before, you are getting what you pay for, i.e. a 981 'lite' with the bigger Wessex Efer. They are getting better year after year......

[Davidus1]

Worth it is a tough question to answer. I definitely feel their products are good and well worth what they are asking. They stand by their products and have a lot of satisfied customers. Value, though, is individual preference. Wessex has the Michigan location but Mack Brass has a location in Virginia. If you are close to either I would try to schedule a visit to play test the instrument. I know it adds extra expense but may help you to feel better about the purchase. I wish you well in your search.

[thegreatrodinkis]

Thanks for all the input everybody.

I understand my postin may have been a little unclear. I have no intentions of ever getting rid of my piggy, especially in trade for an f tuba. Im also not necesarilly looking for it in order to make high notes "easier" per say, just more comfortable and in a better place on the horn.
I live in massachusetts so im not sure if i would be able to get all the way out to virginia, but it may be a good idea to attempt to get out to try one based off of what youve said here.
Now my next question arises:
Will my CC mouthpiece function properly with the F? I currently play on a WD 3 Warren Deck mouthpiece from Orfeo, which is a rather large piece, so im not sure that it would work as im not sure much of the difference in bore between the two tubas.

Thanks!

[The Big Ben]

Will my CC mouthpiece function properly with the F? I currently play on a WD 3 Warren Deck mouthpiece from Orfeo, which is a rather large piece, so I'm not sure that it would work as im not sure much of the difference in bore between the two tubas.

You can't really know that until you sit down with the horn and play it for a little while. It is going to take you a few weeks to learn how to push the right buttons down and get some air through the horn so it doesn't much matter what mouthpiece (within reason) you use. Until you actually have learned to play the horn, I'd use the one shipped with the instrument. I'm guessing it is a compromise mouthpiece that suits the instrument and many people would find it satisfactory. And go from there.

[Wyvern]

Will my CC mouthpiece function properly with the F? I currently play on a WD 3 Warren Deck mouthpiece from Orfeo, which is a rather large piece, so im not sure that it would work as im not sure much of the difference in bore between the two tubas.

The CC tuba mouthpiece will fit, but a proper F tuba mouthpiece as Wessex supplies will work better to give the appropriate tone.

Regarding Wessex F tubas, our new Berg 5-valve F tuba is a lot better than the 6-valve Brahms. In fact so good we were having professionals swooning over it at Frankfurt music fair. And if you wonder why it is not on website, it is because they have been selling before we even get in stock. I will be pleased when we do have some stock.

Here is picture to show you the TF435 Berg

[bisontuba]

Jonathan-
How does the Berg compare to the Strauss?
Mark

[Wyvern]

Jonathan-
How does the Berg compare to the Strauss?

Mark, I personally prefer the tone of the Berg over the Strauss as it sounds more characteristic of an F tuba. Also the Berg does not have the F tuba 'difficult' low C like the Strauss (and B&S PT-15 on which that is based). Intonation of both is pretty good.

I hope we will have both at US Army Conference and ITEC 2016, so come and try for yourself - or visit Wessex new showroom at Ferrysburg (just outside Grand Haven), Michigan by appointment.

[bort]

Is that a gold brass bell, yellow brass bottom bow, and a gold brass top bow?

[Wyvern]

Is that a gold brass bell, yellow brass bottom bow, and a gold brass top bow?

I can see it looks like that, but it's an optical illusion from the lighting. Bell and lead pipe are gold brass. The top bow is yellow brass.

[J.c. Sherman]

I'm not a giant fan of gold brass in general, but I had the delight of hosting Wessex at Cleveland State University and put the Fs through their paces. I'm not a screaming fan of Pt-10s either, but I REALLY enjoyed the Strauss! It's not a PT-10... more focused, better low C, like driving a good, medium-weight sports car. Highly maneuverable, but not too massive. The Berg, was like a 621... like a last generation RX-7 or the 14,000 rpm vtec Del Sol Honda or souped Mini. Since I've got a 621 I'm too-familiar with, I'd gladly be a spokes-model for the Strauss (hint-hint)

J.c.S.