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Hi everyone,

I'd just like to say thank you to Bob Malone, Wayne Tanabe, and everyone else at Yamaha for a truly great day yesterday! What a wonderful facility on 5th Avenue in NY, I think that it's an amazing place to be.

The two tubas there were both amazing players. They were quite different from each other, which can be expected from a truly handmade instrument. There's a whole lot to love about these tubas. The response, playability, and intonation is better than any 6/4 that I've played. I had to stop and think, "Isn't this a 4/4 CC?" That's just how good this tuba plays.

It was a lot of fun to hear Gene, Chris Olka, Chris Hall, Kyle Turner, and Morris Kainuma playing this tuba and their thoughts and opinions on it.

Although I didn't get back to Syracuse until 2:00 am today, it was well worth the trip. Good to see all of you I know, nice to meet all the new people as well!

So you have finally moved on and found a horn that could replace the Huttl in your heart??

JayW wrote:So you have finally moved on and found a horn that could replace the Huttl in your heart??

How dare you talk with such blasphemy?!?!?!?!?

What a nice day that was. I wish more people would have showed up, but it was indeed a nice friendly group. To hear so many fine players on an exceptional horn like the YCB-826S, was amazing.

I have to say I have never played a better 6/4 CC tuba than my favorite of the two (7C) and that was the one that Chris Olka chose. If I had the need for such a horn, I'd have had to bought 7B and tweaked it (5 minutes) to play like 7C.

I could put together a list of maybe 5 other 6/4 horns that I could enjoy playing, but this YCB-826 had a "fun factor" that left them all behind.

If they never made another, I'd think Chris found the newest "Red Violin" of the tuba world.

Thank you to everyone at Yamaha for opening their doors to host a gathering like that.

Here are a few photos from yesterday's gathering. As always, it was informative to listen to professional players test a new instrument - I think we can all learn from their approaches to this process. Below are pics of Chris Olka (Seattle Symphony), Chris Hall (MET Opera Orch), Kyle Turner (fmr Acting Princ. NYPhil), and Gene Pokorny (CSO). I apologize for not have one of Morris Kainuma (NYC freelance).

Chris Olka with his new horn:


Chris Hall:


Kyle Turner:


Gene Pokorny:


Yamaha video-taped several hours yesterday afternoon, and I can only suspect that at somepoint portions will appear on their website.

Just incase anyone wants to order one online, here's a link I stumbled across...

http://mottersmusic.com/shop/index.php? ... lter_id=37

Anybody know what that spatula looking thing is near the thumb-ring over the fifth valve? It looks like some sort of protector for the fifth valve mechanism or maybe it could be a place to rest one's thumb. I wonder...

It also looks to me like the bell is a tad shorter from the bottom bow than my Yorkbrunner. That could just be an optical illusion, but it looks that way in all the photos.

I figured the spatula thing to be something that fit in the palm of your hand while playing. Making it a little more comfortable, or easier to hold.

That spatula looking thing has been reduced on the current model. It's now just a single u-shaped bar that is attached with 2 screws and holds your hand away from the valve. You don't really notice it when you play these horns (guess that means it's where it's supposed to be).

I would like to see a picture of this tuba next to something common like a PT-6 for a size comparison. I guess another brand of York copy would work but if you can...please do.

...for the amateur to see the different pro grasps of the first valve slide.

This is a hand rest for Yamaha Tuba YFB821

Anyone else have pictures of this day? PM me or e-mail me if you don't want to post the pics up here.

Dylan King wrote:

Anybody know what that spatula looking thing is near the thumb-ring over the fifth valve? It looks like some sort of protector for the fifth valve mechanism or maybe it could be a place to rest one's thumb. I wonder...

It also looks to me like the bell is a tad shorter from the bottom bow than my Yorkbrunner. That could just be an optical illusion, but it looks that way in all the photos.

FWIW......The YCB-826S was copied from the shorter of the 2 Yorks just as the Nirschl was. The Yorkbrunner however was copied from the taller version.

Pete Link wrote:

Dylan King wrote:

Anybody know what that spatula looking thing is near the thumb-ring over the fifth valve? It looks like some sort of protector for the fifth valve mechanism or maybe it could be a place to rest one's thumb. I wonder...

It also looks to me like the bell is a tad shorter from the bottom bow than my Yorkbrunner. That could just be an optical illusion, but it looks that way in all the photos.

FWIW......The YCB-826S was copied from the shorter of the 2 Yorks just as the Nirschl was. The Yorkbrunner however was copied from the taller version.

That explains it! Thanks.

Now I think I need one, as I think I am getting shorter as I age.

any more pics out there?
Bill