Willson 3400C

[Jerryleejr]

Just curious if anyone has had a chance to play the Compact Eb offering from Willson. And how did you find it compares to its big brother...

JJ

[Sousaswag]

I spent some time with one at midwest. The low register demolishes buildings and the higher register wasn't as difficult as I expected. I'm no Eb tuba player by any means, but to me it had great tone throughout all registers. I didn't get a chance to test the intonation but nothing stuck out as "awful" to me. It seemed like a solid tuba and I would've loved to have spent time with it in a quiet room. The big Eb wasn't there, so I can't comment.

[Steginkt]

Good for an Eb, not as good as the original

[Jerryleejr]

I spent some time with one at midwest. The low register demolishes buildings and the higher register wasn't as difficult as I expected. I'm no Eb tuba player by any means, but to me it had great tone throughout all registers. I didn't get a chance to test the intonation but nothing stuck out as "awful" to me. It seemed like a solid tuba and I would've loved to have spent time with it in a quiet room. The big Eb wasn't there, so I can't comment.

Neither am I, but possibly looking to add one more horn. I’m currently trying to find out if one will be at ITEC or possibly another conference this year.

JJ

[Jerryleejr]

Played one at ITEC in 2016. Fell in love with it as my favorite piston Eb. Heavy, but it's a willson, that part goes without saying

I’ve never played a Wilson that didn’t feel like half the assembly line was left in it.

JJ

[Bob Kolada]

I spent a lot of time at Midwest on one several years ago (enough that I heard the reps talking about a possible sale ). Super ergos, very easy to play (it felt and held like playing a really nice older American horn), I felt very comfortable with it. That said, if people describe the bigger model as sounding a bit distant when you play it this was a lot like that.

The most surprising Eb I played was the St Petersburg. You could really get out on it, very consistent sound across the registers, great low range,... Although a rotary horn it felt like like playing a very open piston horn. No idea on long term usage of those. Fwiw, I didn't take to the 2 rotary Miraphone Ebs and ended up getting a 1281 F as my Army horn (another story there, playing wise). I haven't played the Wessex rotary Eb, not sure if I've played the MW 2040 rotary, but the MW 2141 is a banger of a horn. Easy to get into playing it, great low range, dark but clear sound. The valve angle did not work for me at all; I recall that I ended up playing it as a 3+1 rotary horn. I'm not a big fan of the Besson 983.

For Eb reference, I've owned several small American horns and a 4 valve Conn Giant. The best have been the small, stocky Conns. My "medium" H.N. White King plays and sounds phenomenal; it does have a bit of that "long octave".

Newer stuff I'd try as far as compact Ebs? The small comp Wessex (although I prefer front action horns) and I'm looking forward to the small front valve English style Wessex F. I suspect that will have a lot of the traits of a good Eb or the Yamaha 621 F- punchy, no funky low range,...

[Jerryleejr]

I spent a lot of time at Midwest on one several years ago (enough that I heard the reps talking about a possible sale ). Super ergos, very easy to play (it felt and held like playing a really nice older American horn), I felt very comfortable with it. That said, if people describe the bigger model as sounding a bit distant when you play it this was a lot like that.

The most surprising Eb I played was the St Petersburg. You could really get out on it, very consistent sound across the registers, great low range,... Although a rotary horn it felt like like playing a very open piston horn. No idea on long term usage of those. Fwiw, I didn't take to the 2 rotary Miraphone Ebs and ended up getting a 1281 F as my Army horn (another story there, playing wise). I haven't played the Wessex rotary Eb, not sure if I've played the MW 2040 rotary, but the MW 2141 is a banger of a horn. Easy to get into playing it, great low range, dark but clear sound. The valve angle did not work for me at all; I recall that I ended up playing it as a 3+1 rotary horn. I'm not a big fan of the Besson 983.

For Eb reference, I've owned several small American horns and a 4 valve Conn Giant. The best have been the small, stocky Conns. My "medium" H.N. White King plays and sounds phenomenal; it does have a bit of that "long octave".

Newer stuff I'd try as far as compact Ebs? The small comp Wessex (although I prefer front action horns) and I'm looking forward to the small front valve English style Wessex F. I suspect that will have a lot of the traits of a good Eb or the Yamaha 621 F- punchy, no funky low range,...

Great Info Bob. I don't have a preference between piston and rotor, My current Bb is rotor and prior to that I had a piston. Im just looking for a lot of horn in a small package. Kind of like how the King 2341 is for Bb. I also have no issue paying a little more for long term quality. A lot have recommended the Norwegian Star and I love miraphones in general. Im hoping to play a few at ITEC. Time will tell to many irons in the fire and directions I want to go. To many horns and not enough money lol.

JJ

[IOS]

I own both the original size Willson 3400 and the Willson 3400C. I have had the small instrument for just over one year and the bigger instrument for much longer. They are different instruments. Both have the typical excellent Willson fit and finish and very good intonation across all registers but they have distinctly different sounds. The Willson 3400 plays like a small to medium size BBb. I feel comfortable using it in larger ensembles where you typically have 300 overblowing trumpets. (When I get too overwhelmed, I roll out my Wilson 3100.) The Willson 3400C is an excellent small ensemble (e.g., a brass quintet or a 10 piece (or so) brass ensemble) instrument. It has less resistance than the Willson 3400 and much easier to play. Hence, the upper register is less of a issue especially after you have been playing for a couple of hours. Also, both instruments center on the pitch very well. Finally, the Willson 3400C is a really fun instrument to play. (I realize this is a subjective assessment.) Of the various instruments I have, this is the one that I enjoy the most.

One final note. When I got the Willson 3400C about a year ago, it took three to four month for it to settle in. That is, it took this long for the sound I was looking for to materialize. I guess all of the atoms in the metal had to get properly aligned (or whatever Denis Wick was fond of saying). Thus, when I read that someone tooted the Willson 3400C for a few minutes at some conference or other gathering, this sort of assessment does not do justice to the very fine instrument.

[Jerryleejr]

I own both the original size Willson 3400 and the Willson 3400C. I have had the small instrument for just over one year and the bigger instrument for much longer. They are different instruments. Both have the typical excellent Willson fit and finish and very good intonation across all registers but they have distinctly different sounds. The Willson 3400 plays like a small to medium size BBb. I feel comfortable using it in larger ensembles where you typically have 300 overblowing trumpets. (When I get too overwhelmed, I roll out my Wilson 3100.) The Willson 3400C is an excellent small ensemble (e.g., a brass quintet or a 10 piece (or so) brass ensemble) instrument. It has less resistance than the Willson 3400 and much easier to play. Hence, the upper register is less of a issue especially after you have been playing for a couple of hours. Also, both instruments center on the pitch very well. Finally, the Willson 3400C is a really fun instrument to play. (I realize this is a subjective assessment.) Of the various instruments I have, this is the one that I enjoy the most.

One final note. When I got the Willson 3400C about a year ago, it took three to four month for it to settle in. That is, it took this long for the sound I was looking for to materialize. I guess all of the atoms in the metal had to get properly aligned (or whatever Denis Wick was fond of saying). Thus, when I read that someone tooted the Willson 3400C for a few minutes at some conference or other gathering, this sort of assessment does not do justice to the very fine instrument.

PM sent

JJ

[GC]

A while back Willson was offering a lightweight option (thinner metal, I believe). I didn't see it on the site today, but I don't know if it's been removed or if I just skimmed over it.

[Jess Haney]

I have the regular 3400 and a friend of mine in Colorado has the 3400c. It is a great instrument and as others have stated would be perfect for brass quintet. If I had the cash I would own one solely for that reason. I use the regular 3400 for quintet but I also use it in orchestra, brass band, and brass choir when I get the gig now and again. Both the high register and low register are great on the smaller horn, with it having a distinctive center to the tone. It has a very "rock solid" feel that may not be for everyone. The weight definitely helps with the projection and the bell is situated close to your head. The feedback is instant but it is heavy for only being 30 some inches tall. It catches you off guard when you first play it because you expect a sound closer to the Norwegian Star but its timbre is unique with a lot of potential power in the right hands.

[Jerryleejr]

I have the regular 3400 and a friend of mine in Colorado has the 3400c. It is a great instrument and as others have stated would be perfect for brass quintet. If I had the cash I would own one solely for that reason. I use the regular 3400 for quintet but I also use it in orchestra, brass band, and brass choir when I get the gig now and again. Both the high register and low register are great on the smaller horn, with it having a distinctive center to the tone. It has a very "rock solid" feel that may not be for everyone. The weight definitely helps with the projection and the bell is situated close to your head. The feedback is instant but it is heavy for only being 30 some inches tall. It catches you off guard when you first play it because you expect a sound closer to the Norwegian Star but its timbre is unique with a lot of potential power in the right hands.

So would you say a large BBb and the Compact Willson would complement each other?

JJ