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For those who have tried these horns from Mack brass, what are your opinions?

The 4/4 is outstanding. Great pitch, great low register, and seems to be built very well. I really liked the one I’ve played. For the price I think it’s an absolute steal.

I love my 6/4. Very good tuba.

The 6/4 is a great Tuba!
https://youtu.be/RjQLWd9P7-k

Echoing Sousaswag, the 4/4 is outstanding. I visited the Mack warehouse on a road trip and sat down with the ZO offerings, and across the board was impressed. I eventually broke down and shelled out the dough and now I own the 4/4 CC and the piston F and wish I owned these horns years ago. Solid build, pitch, response, range... These horns punch way above their price tag, and are a blast to play. I do miss having a "big" horn, but if I play pretty, I may be able to talk my wife into letting me get one.

I will gladly add on to the thread. I currently play the 4/4 CC (the Raptor) and the piston F (the Falcon). Both are spectacular instruments. I played on the Nirschl 4/4 CC for many, many years and foolishly sold it to fun another instrument purchase. That was always the "one that got away" for me, that is, until I got the Raptor. The Raptor is a spectacular instrument with an awesome sound, impeccable intonation and is a complete hoy to play. I prefer this tuba to the one it is based on and feel that it is superior in most every way.

The Falcon F is also a wonderful instrument. I have been a rotary F player for most of my career but this tuba was more than enough to convince me to switch to pistons. I love everything about this instrument and have used it in virtually every playing situation possible with wonderful results.

I agree with Dan, these tubas play WAY WAY above their price point. Workmanship is spectacular and Chris Lair has been a joy to work with. I cannot recommend them enough!!!

Andy Rummel

Kind of off topic but how is the tuba so cheap if it’s a York copy that is very good. There has to be a draw back right?

CooperBayliff wrote: ↑Sat Jul 30, 2022 8:07 pm Kind of off topic but how is the tuba so cheap if it’s a York copy that is very good. There has to be a draw back right?

90% of the cost is labor, and these horns are made in China. The difference between a Mack and a JZ horn is quality control. JZ (and other super cheap Chinese horns) are made fast and dirty. Tom makes sure his stuff is high quality. A friend of mine has a good saying: it's 95% of the expensive European horn for 1/4 of the cost.

Love my TU210 (once I sorted the kinks).

I see. Ill have to play test one of them at some point