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I believe that is a custom horn built by the Dillon repair tech, Matt Walters -- who is know 'round these parts as a real wizard in the repair-tech world. I suspect the sound of that horn would be something akin to a Conn 56J, but that it will play and sound better than that. The bore and bell are about the same as the 56J. I suspect Matt has a larger bore rotor for the 5th valve than the 56J has, however.

This horn will have a "traditional American tuba sound" -- fairly broad. Good for a larger ensemble. Maybe a bit broad for quintet application -- but then I'm using my 56J for quintet and they like the bigger tuba sound. (I prefer something smaller, however.)

Wait a while and see who has played it -- other posts are sure to come from first-hand experiences.

HTH,

What I can say is that a trip to Dillon music will definitely be worth your time, even if this particular horn isn't for you. They have a wide variety of new and used horns - probably more than what's on their website.

I would also suggest you visit Baltimore Brass because they aren't that far away from Dillon Music. You will get a good idea of what you are looking for if you try a bunch of different horns.

Call Matt @ Dillon's - he is a straight shooter and will tell you the good and bad about the horn immediately and whether or not the horn would be able to handle what you want it to do.

There are a handful of people in the tuba world that experience tells us to trust implicitly--Matt is one of those. As someone else said, contact Matt and pick his brain about what you need and he will tell you if he has what you need and give you an honest assessment of how each horn plays.

you're new here, so I'll let this fly with a warning, but "Newby" is incorrect. Don't you have any supergeeky friends? "n00b" is the spelling. "n00b" totally pwns!

I own a Bob Rusk cut model of the same tuba and i have also played York tubas cut by Matt Walter. They are very similar. My York has great intonation and a very large sound. I can use it in both orchestra and brass quintet. If you can only afford one CC tuba, the Dillon/York would be it. Also, I have known Matt Walter for tears. He is a good craftsman and an honest man. You can take his word to the bank.

A correction to my post. I have known Matt Walter for years, not tears. My apologies for the typographical error.

My opinions,

Matt is honest, period. Matt can give you his opinion. This may be what you need to make the decision to go to Dillon's. However, only you can make the decision on if this tuba works for you (if you can play it in tune, if the horn sounds like you want, etc...). This can only be done by playing it yourself.

If you make a long trip, remember that Dillon's has many tubas, try them. Also make arrangements to go down the road to the Baltimore Brass Company and try more tubas (Dave and company are also honest). The cost of a trip and getting the right tuba (or not getting a tuba yet) is most likely under the cost of making a mistake and getting a tuba that you do not like.

Also, talk to your tuba teacher.

good luck,
Mark

prototypedenNIS wrote:you're new here, so I'll let this fly with a warning, but "Newby" is incorrect. Don't you have any supergeeky friends? "n00b" is the spelling. "n00b" totally pwns!

Damn Canadians!