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Hi,

Back years ago in my professional life, I owned some large horns (HB-6, MW2165, etc.) I am now officially an "old man" - 55 - and am interested in getting an "old man" tuba to inspire my interest in playing again. I am considering the Wessex, ZO, and Eastman versions. Which one would you buy? Please discuss!

Thanks so much!

Id get a York 91

If I had tp choose a 6/4 Sight unseen and purchase, I would look at the Gronitz PCK. Otherwise I would want to sit down with each. I admittedly would love to sit down the the ZO 6/4...

Out of those choices, I've heard the most positive comments for the Wessex.

Eastman seems to get a lot fo good feedback, but the sound can be a little blah.

ZO is kind of a new and unknown quantity. Might be really good, though.

But if I had to choose one of those three, based on what people I trust are telling me... Wessex.

Probably the Wessex Leviathan 6/4 compensating BBb (hand-hammered version for weight savings). I now prefer compensating tubas and do NOT want to deal with 5th valve fingerings.

Well, as an “older” man (63), I would feel it best to share some of my “old man wisdom” and mention that as we get older, those really big tubas are harder to hold and play. The end result might be something that inspires you to not play. Sore shoulders and arms, neck, etc. And then there is hauling the dang thing around. Up and down stairs, in and out of cars, up the street as there is no parking close by, etc. This stuff really wears on an old body. More so than playing the horn. Unless you are planning to land that big orchestral gig in your old age you might consider a good 4/4 horn that will be easier to hold and thus, more enjoyable to play. Just my 2 cents.

Sincerely,

OMG (Old Man Grant)

P.S. Glad I put this in writing as I won’t remember doing this 10 minutes from now.

P.S.S. To answer your question. I would take my friends Martin Wilk built Martin/Beuscher BBb. Huge horn, plays easy, sounds amazing. Requires 3 people to hold while you play it.

A +1 for the Wessex Grand. I love playing it and use a Wessex playing stand with it. I'm glad to have the wheels on the case when hauling it around...

Played and worked on them all. Owned most of them, some a couple of times. Current new offerings? Eastman 836S. By quite a bit.

Check out the Gronitz PCK. I believe it's been suggested above. It's about as light as a big horn will ever get, and personally, I just don't like the playability of the York copies. I've played a few PCK's and they're very nice instruments. Every horn has quirks, for sure, but the Gronitz, if just choosing something as an old man tuba, is going to give you the lightest weight with the playability of a little bit smaller instrument.

One of the larger Rudy Meinl tubas?
http://www.rudolf-meinl.de/fileadmin/te ... ospekt.pdf

The PCK is a great all around instrument. May be a 5.5/4 which is a great thing in many instances.

I've had my eye on the PCK for a long time. While I owned / played only German / Swiss horns my whole life, I'm not sure if I can justify spending $7000 - $9000 more just because it's German-made. The PCK is literally twice the price of the Wessex. Is it twice as good? I know that's really an impossible question to answer, but certainly one worth pondering. Thanks for your responses!

4 valve martin. one can dream

Another vote for a Rudy Meinl here.

a friend of mine had the big CC 5/4 Rudy in college and he sounded great on it. I just am not a fan of rotary valves anymore since switching to pistons 20 or so years ago. Rudy doesn't make a big piston CC unless I am mistaken. And if they did, it would probably be in the $15K+ range. But I would also be a fan!

I love my Wessex Chicago Presence. Couldn’t recommend it enough.

I'd vote for the Eastman, hands down. They are really nice horns made by a quality company.

Play a bunch of the 836s if you can, as they are handmade instruments and each has its own character.

Mine is one of the first 6 released for sale back in early 2018, and the quality is superb, especially the valves. I've heard they've only gotten better as the years have gone by.

I love my ZO Thunderbird. Give it a try.

Hi , To be fair I would have to first try the different horns you have mentioned , considering the price of each , how they play and which one feels right for you , and the horn you really want to own and enjoy playing ,, hope this helps ,,best of luck to you !

I'm really into the Wessex 6/4s right now. I have both the presence and the York models.