Best tuba?

[Tubajug]

Unpopular opinion:
Yamaha YEB-321 Eb Tuba.

I beg to differ - a very nice E flat tuba, IMHO.

I just don't personally care for top-action valves - in point of fact, if I could get my hands on one cheep, I'd likely convert it to side action.

Dan Schultz did this once:

http://thevillagetinker.com/yamaha_yeb3 ... ersion.htm

[DouglasJB]

I'd be caught between the Eastman 632 (i had a VERY early one, first production run) and believe it or not, I'm really liking my MW2141, mainly for the versatility. The handmade Nirschl 4/4 CC is next hands down

[THE TUBA]

The mythical 6/4 York CC #3.

[roweenie]

Unpopular opinion:
Yamaha YEB-321 Eb Tuba.

I beg to differ - a very nice E flat tuba, IMHO.

I just don't personally care for top-action valves - in point of fact, if I could get my hands on one cheep, I'd likely convert it to side action.

Dan Schultz did this once:

http://thevillagetinker.com/yamaha_yeb3 ... ersion.htm

I saw that - that gave me the idea in the first place....

He did a beautiful job, too!

[Reptilian]

For me it's The 5490.

[T. J. Ricer]

Unpopular opinion:
Yamaha YEB-321 Eb Tuba.

I beg to differ - a very nice E flat tuba, IMHO.

I just don't personally care for top-action valves - in point of fact, if I could get my hands on one cheep, I'd likely convert it to side action.

Dan Schultz did this once:

http://thevillagetinker.com/yamaha_yeb3 ... ersion.htm

Hey guys thanks for all the nice words both about me and the Eb!

Dan actually built that horn for me... haha! I’ve told Yamaha multiple times that the 321 Eb is one of the best horns they make and that a 5-valve, front action version would be more popular in the states, but I think the market is just smaller than they are interested in. I think they do pretty well in the comp Eb and euph market and the five valve versions of the 321 Eb and euph they used to make diluted that market...

-T. J.

[Dan Tuba]

It seems as though 5-valve Eb tubas rarely play in tune as well as 3+1 comp. Eb tubas.

I'm sure there are some reasons beyond the machine (valveset), but it's odd how even those hurriedly-built $1800 compensating Eb tubas play better in tune (for me) than those $13000 German-made 4+1 front-action ones.

I'm certainly willing to rest a tuba on my left thigh and mash the 4th button with my other hand if all I have to do is blow into and - occasionally - barely favor a few pitches (without ever having to resort to slide-yanking).

I owned a "Schiller" 3+1 EEb tuba for awhile. It was a great all-purpose tuba. Intonation was great, and it had enough and the right "sound" to fit into most playing situations. Definitely some manufacturing "quirks," but such a great design.

[Big Toot]

Unpopular opinion:
Yamaha YEB-321 Eb Tuba.

I've actually heard good things about that horn, aside from TJ's opinion, which I never take lightly. If I ever need an Eb, that will be the first one I take a look at.

[GC]

Best tuba? I'll never own one because I'm a cheapskate. But the tuba I'm using regularly now is the best one I've ever owned.