Need Opinions

[Jack Denniston]

I've never had more than 1 tuba at a time and I've always needed it to work for everything from solos to large ensembles. I played a MW Bell model for 20 years and then I played a CB-50 for 10 years. For the past 5 years my only tuba has been a Willson 3400. It works better for me as an all around tuba than the other 2 did, and they worked very well.

[bill]

Bloke Said:

If you are well on the way to following a path of playing one tuba - an Eb (as your statement-in-the-form-of-a-question strongly suggests)...

I was completely surprised, recently, by a new *Rudolf Meinl Eb tuba. I played it back-to-back with several of the other Eb models mentioned here. It seemed to respond the best. The Willson is hard to criticize, but I can't find much "soul" in its resonance.

bloke "Admittedly though, during the times that I have owned only *one* tuba, it has been an F tuba."

I own several tubas and have had several more. When I wanted to upgrade to an Eb, I arranged to have 5 tubas ready for me to test. I sat down and played a Besson 983, 984, Yamaha 321, a used Conn Jumbo (top valve) and a Willson 3400. My wife, who funds all my tubas and never complains, was seated on a sofa at the other end of a large room and I heard her "swoon" and sigh. I stopped and asked her what was wrong and she said "I heard your soul come through that horn. I don't care which other horn you like or want; you HAVE to buy that one." We have been married almost 50 years and that was about 10 years ago. She know my playing pretty well.

Currently I have: Conn 5J, Conn Jumbo Eb (front valve), Miraphone 184 CC-5U, Willson 3400 and a Weril Euphonium. I have sold several good horns, including a Hirsbrunner BBb and a low number Yamaha YFB621. Of all the horns I have owned, the Willson is the most versatile. I use it for 90% of what I do (two orchestras and a brass quintet plus casual gigs). Recently, after winning a concerto competition, I was awarded a solo spot with one of the orchestras. I am playing the Barbabra York Concerto for Tuba and using the Willson 3400. This has proven very difficult but not impossible. I will soon acquire an MW 182 to make such solo playing easier but, except for that, I am very happy with the Willson, as I use it. The second best horn I played when I tried horns, was the Yamaha YEB321. The Willson is probably the best all around horn I have ever owned; the Hirsbrunner BBb is probably the best tuba I have ever played but it was not so versatile. Of the other horns I still have, the Miraphone 184 CC is quite good; the two Conns are not at all bad for casual gigs, especially outdoor venues. But, if I HAD to live with only one, it would be a Willson 3400.

With all of that, you won't know what is right for you until you play a few horns and use them for performances and a lot of rehearsal. But, it might suggest a place to start. btw, every 5 valve horn I own has the 5th valve as a 2-3 combination.

[DonShirer]

I'm using an MW2141 in a 40 pc town band and have had little trouble supporting the bass part even when the other two tubists don't show up. I would think you would need some help in a larger group, though. I have had to do some minor tube pulling with the 2141 (something I never needed to do with my old YEB321), but it has a lot more "punch" to its tone. When I upgraded, I was tempted by the Gagney hybrid, but decided that at my age, I didn't want to learn a new fingering.

[TubaRay]

You came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions!!!

I would have to disagree with that comment. Now, if you're talking about good opinions, or usable opinions, you could possibly be right. But to say you came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions would seem to be 180 degrees wrong.

[TubaRay]

You came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions!!!

I would have to disagree with that comment. Now, if you're talking about good opinions, or usable opinions, you could possibly be right. But to say you came to the wrong place if you're looking for opinions would seem to be 180 degrees wrong.

duh... this is the opinion capital of the world... that was my point!

And you know what is said about opinions....