Which 3+1 BBb and EEb these days?

[Wyvern]

I'm having trouble finding the reviews for Mark Carter's [Mr., Tuba]tubas on Tubanews. Can anyone dierect me?

Thanks,
royjohn

http://www.tubanews.com/articles/contentid-200.html

[Lee Stofer]

Very little has been said about the Hirsbrunner models. Of course, us Americans have to deal with Custom Music Co. if we want a Hirsbrunner, and to my knowledge they have not imported either the HBS 692 3+1 compensating BBb or the HBS 688 3+1 compensating Eb tuba.

My limited experience with playing Hirsbrunner BBb tubas both here and in Europe suggests that these instruments would be worth looking into. I have enjoyed playing their BBb tubas, somewhat more than their CC tubas. The model 692 BBb has the same bell diameter, overall height and bore size as their professional 4/4 CC tubas, which seems large-enough-but-not-too-large to me. The model 688 Eb has the same bell diameter as the BBb, an only slightly smaller bore size, and is not quite 1 inch shorter overall as compared to the BBb, so it is no small tuba.

The Hirsbrunner instruments I have played seemd to be somewhat lighter-weight instruments in comparison to the Willsons, and both have built an enviable reputation for quality. In the aforementioned situation, I would seriously consider purchasing the Hirsbrunners.

[AndyCat]

On my quest to find new BBb comps for band, I'm in the lucky position to have access to many of the current makes, a sort of Tubageddon.

Here are some photos of the current 2 I'm trying, a London Musical Instruments Royal (silver with gold bits) and a Miraphone Ambassador 9000 (Lacquer).

My recently overhauled 20 yr old Besson 992 (my benchmark for all BBb's!) is included for comparison.

My 992:









The LMI Royal










The Miraphone Ambassador 9000









All 3 together!















I'm hopefully getting the Buffet Sovereign to try as well. I've had the "prototype" York, but wasn't too inmpressed. Apparently, the players from Black Dyke are going to sort it though. I'll try it again then.

The LMI is the country mile winner so far BTW.

[jmh3412]

Tuba dorn (and what a tidy lounge!!)

[AndyCat]

Tuba dorn (and what a tidy lounge!!)

Yes, and it's John Bennets Lounge. Mine wouldn't fit 3 tubas in it!!!

[Wyvern]

Andy, How do they ergonomically compare in reach to 4th valve and height of mouthpiece?

[AndyCat]

Andy, How do they ergonomically compare in reach to 4th valve and height of mouthpiece?

So far the LMI is the only one to be playable without holding it strangely, ie on one knee at an angle to your body. LMI will make one for you specifically though anyway, as they're all made to order, so that's not much of an issue. In fact they're desperate for people to see them making them to quash all the rumours about their part sourcing etc. I'll probably take a visit sometime.

The Miraphone is (to me) particularly uncomfortable, and the EEb wasn't much better according to Jonathan Hall. We have an LMI EEb tomorrow as well to try, so side by side will be interesting.

My old 992 can sit on your knee with no problems at all and is the comfiest position I've played on a BBb comp, both for leadpipe (concert model) and 4th valve. And that's 20 years out of date apparently. Progress ehh...........