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There's one for sale now on another site. It looks interesting (and in good shape).

In my constant search for a "one horn solution", I've decided the search cannot conclude without testing some comp. EEbs.

Has anyone ever played a Willson like this? Something similar? What was it like?

Thanks!

dtemp wrote:There's one for sale now on another site. It looks interesting (and in good shape).

In my constant search for a "one horn solution", I've decided the search cannot conclude without testing some comp. EEbs.

Owning a very good large Eb 3+1 comper of another brand makes me doubt, that the one-horn-for-all-purposes does exist. The full range down to double pedal Eb is available on my sample.

Parts intended for contrabass tuba are playable on such comp Eb, but they are much more naturally played on a real contrabass.

Please be aware, that Willson bore indications differ from the standard way of measuring. What Willson tells is the outer diameter of the 2nd slide male branch.

Despite this the said Willson very well may be a worthwhile instrument. I am not in the market for any tuba currently. Still I would be interested in seeing any documentation on this model. If you don't want to make the link public, I would like it sent in a PM.

KarlMarx wrote:

dtemp wrote:There's one for sale now on another site. It looks interesting (and in good shape).

In my constant search for a "one horn solution", I've decided the search cannot conclude without testing some comp. EEbs.

Owning a very good large Eb 3+1 comper of another brand makes me doubt, that the one-horn-for-all-purposes does exist. The full range down to double pedal Eb is available on my sample.

Parts intended for contrabass tuba are playable on such comp Eb, but they are much more naturally played on a real contrabass.

Well, it would be one-horn-for-all for me. Most of my playing comes in quintet, with a bit of small community orchestra. My 2040/5 does fine in quintet, but I'm wondering if I need a little more punch for orchestra. My playing situation does not warrant a need for multiple horns right now - perhaps down the road sometime - so I'm trying to find a horn that's good for MOST situations, with no expectations that it will be perfect for all.

It's the "lean angle" that has kept me from buying a 3+1 Eb comper; even an average-sized tuba player (presumably) noted that it could get tiring to hold. If you're going to be playing hours on end, this is a factor to consider. The last leaner I tried out, I investigated use of a tuba stand even though I have plenty of room on the chair. The conclusion was that leaners are leaners, and unless one has the wherewithal to make a custom leaner-holder stand for it, it could get to be a bit much for perhaps quite a few people.

Someone smart needs to re-design the ergonomic layout of 3+1 tubas so that they have 3+1 rotary valves all played by the right hand, and the tuba would balance nicely upright without the "lean component." Then I bet the market for these would increase quite a bit. It's not just that they are stuffy....it's that they are ergonomically difficult. I mean, french horns can be pretty stuffy in some ranges but we all (horn players, that is) learn to play them.

MA

It's the "lean angle" that has kept me from buying a 3+1 Eb comper; even an average-sized tuba player (presumably) noted that it could get tiring to hold.

My Besson 982 is very comfortable for me- it sits on the front of the chair and is nearly vertical. There are certainly things I don't like about it, but comfort isn't one of them. On the other hand, the 981 is a real pain for me- the horn sits on top of my lap and it just feels awkward. I play-tested a Yamaha 3+1 and thought it was OK comfort-wise.

The different 3+1 compensators are, well, different. If one doesn't fit, another might. If it feels good, it is good.

Bill Anderson