Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

The bulk of the musical talk
Post Reply
jorgeskid
bugler
bugler
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 3:56 pm

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by jorgeskid »

the elephant wrote:
k001k47 wrote:
the elephant wrote:The Yamaha is absolute crap.
Sell it to me. :mrgreen:
Noel, regarding my "crap" comment:

A lot of people do not understand why a lot of owners of this particular tuba complain about the ergonomics.

So your post will allow me to explain about the main complaints that I have read and that line up with my own.

1. Valve angle...

The valve positioning is terrible on these tubas, making the pinky bend so that it is *inside* where the index finger is when the horn is held at the proper angle. So your wrist is bend downwards at a 55º to 60º angle if you hold it one common way or close to 45º if you hold it in what seems to be the other popular way for this tuba. Either way is very bad for things like CTS or arthritis; very sharp pains are the result.

My moving the thumb ring more than an inch "north" on the slide tube and then reshaping the lever to fit relieved a lot of stress on my wrist by opening up the claw-like finger position Yamaha saw fit to require of the player, allowing my arm to fall into a slightly different position and thereby removing the pain in my pinky-to-wrist tendon.

2. first slide...

The first slide is awkward to manipulate while holding the tuba. I added a pull ring to the 1st slide that puts my left hand in what at first seemed to be an odd place, but Yamaha did not design in a place for your left hand, so moving the 1st slide was always pretty awkward, anyway. I simply made it reachable from a location that was easier to maintain for long stretches of time.

3. Leadpipe height...

I moved the leadpipe up about 4" to remove a good bit of the painful "hunchback" that a tall player must maintain to get way down the the mouthpiece (as placed by Yamaha). Doing this required me to add about 3" of length to the leadpipe with a small angled piece at the end to allow the pipe to come up at a slightly sharper angle, which gave it another inch of distance from the bottom bow. It is not tall enough for me, but it is tall enough for most. It is much more comfortable. This also made my very sharp horn much more manageable. Many of these must be played with the main slide almost all the way out. (Maybe they had a 440 and 442 versions at the same time and did not send them to the correct markets? I have always wondered about this. The sharp ones are shorter than the ones that were obviously cut for A=440 - I have measured five of these horns besides my own, so two that were in tune with the main out an inch or so and four that needed the main out about four inches or more. Adding length to my main slide allows me to play this tuba in tune with my slide out about one inch. Prior to this leadpipe mod I had the main slide out so far that it would be pushed in by the top of my right leg as I played. So this is *much* better.

4. Overall tone...

These tubas are über bland in tone. Everyone *loves* them except for tuba players. I played an Alex 163 and wanted a tone more like that from my Yamaha. I used many mouthpieces over the years until I stumbled across the Laskey 30F, which helps me to generate more of the overtones that seem to add roundness and color to the sound. So now the tone is not so frustrating and the occasional characteristic-yet-unexpected "bark" these horns sometimes emit has gone away completely.

This mouthpiece and these three mods have turned this into a longterm keeper for me. I have owned it for over 12 years now and have no intention of selling it unless I come across an awfully good F tuba and have the money for it on hand.

So no. I will not sell it. It is MINE! MUWAHAHAHAAAAA!!! :tuba:
I adore my 621, I think it sounds fantastic! Quite big for such a little tuba.

I too thought it was uncomfortable at first, so I went out and bought a tupperware box and covered it in shelf liner. It fixed the height problem, while tipping the horn a bit to the left while on the box made it much more comfortable on my hand. All in all, it cost me about 10 bucks :roll:
Ben
University of Texas


Yamaha YFB621
User avatar
Tubajug
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1712
Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:23 pm
Location: Lincoln, NE

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by Tubajug »

Here's a photo of my and my babies:

Image

And just one of me. Maybe it's the camera angle, but I decided that I look weird when I play the tuba...

Image
Jordan
King 2341 with a Holton "Monster" Eb bell
Eb Frankentuba
Martin Medium Eb Helicon

If at first you don't succeed, skydiving's probably not for you.
eupher61
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 2790
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:37 pm

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by eupher61 »

not included in here are my wife's bassoon, flute, clarinet, another banjo, stepdaughter's keyboard and guitar, my snoot flute, and a borrowed oboe.

From left, more or less in order, Amati BBb helicon (1970s?), Kay M1B bass (1955), glass washboard c. 1943, Benge 165F trombone, Bacon and Day Montana Silver Bell Model 1 tenor banjo, Cerveny F helicon modified by Dan Schultz (c. 1900?), Martin Mammoth (1957) on a Tuba Tamer, Slingerland MayBell plectrum banjo (c.1929), B&S PT-10 (1984) Schiller 3v comp baritone (2012), Conn Eb 3v (1919, IIRC), Schiller 4v comp euphonium (2012).
BBC tuba rest, Belmonte tuba stand, Belmonte music stand, Tama throne. Bass is on a Hercules bass stand.
Top shelf: Balu Large walnut mute, H&B small tuba mute, Samick uke, Yamaha silent brass, recording bell for Martin. Gig bags include Cronkhite, Gard, Altieri, and Cerveny cover.

It's nice to finally have enough room that all of these can be in one area and easily accessed to play.
Last edited by eupher61 on Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
bearphonium
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1077
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:21 pm
Location: Making mischief in the back row at 44, 1' 49"N, 123, 8'10"W

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by bearphonium »

Not exactly me...
Tubas 011 (640x480).jpg
Mirafone 186 BBb
VMI 201 3/4 BBb
King Sousaphone
Conn 19I 4-valve non-comp Euph


What Would Xena Do?
Kayla
bugler
bugler
Posts: 171
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:48 pm

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by Kayla »

Me and my MW 2250
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
opus37
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1315
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:22 pm
Location: Woodbury, MN

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by opus37 »

My current collection. Kanstul 66T, Holton Eb Helicon (1921), and Martin Monster Eb (1912).
Brian
1892 Courtiere (J.W. Pepper Import) Helicon Eb
1980's Yamaha 321 euphonium
2007 Miraphone 383 Starlight
2010 Kanstul 66T
2016 Bubbie Mark 5
User avatar
bort
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 11222
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by bort »

Kayla wrote:Me and my MW 2250
Did you know someone was taking that picture? :lol:
User avatar
hbcrandy
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 653
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:28 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
Contact:

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by hbcrandy »

Here are some images of me and the the tuba phases through which I passed in my laters years.
IMG_1305_Brass_Quintet Cropped 1200.JPG
HBC group IMG_11088-round_crop,blueBG,sm.jpg
HSO Trombones and Tuba.jpg
Well, there goes my 15 minutes of fame.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Randy Harrison
Proprietor,
Harrison Brass
Baltimore, Maryland USA
http://www.harrisonbrass.com
Instructor of Applied Brass Performance
Maryland Conservatory of Music
Bel Air and Havre de Grace, Maryland USA
http://www.musicismagic.com
Heavy_Metal
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1713
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by Heavy_Metal »

Hey, you forgot a pic of you conducting TubaChristmas! :wink:

:tuba:
Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
1970s Marzan Slant-rotor BBb
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
User avatar
hbcrandy
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 653
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:28 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
Contact:

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by hbcrandy »

Heavy_Metal wrote:Hey, you forgot a pic of you conducting TubaChristmas!
Frank:

We don't want to scare our tubenet friends.
Randy Harrison
Proprietor,
Harrison Brass
Baltimore, Maryland USA
http://www.harrisonbrass.com
Instructor of Applied Brass Performance
Maryland Conservatory of Music
Bel Air and Havre de Grace, Maryland USA
http://www.musicismagic.com
Kayla
bugler
bugler
Posts: 171
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:48 pm

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by Kayla »

bort wrote:
Kayla wrote:Me and my MW 2250
Did you know someone was taking that picture? :lol:
No idea, my friend snapped this right before I started playing, and he showed me after the recital. I like it :)
Heavy_Metal
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1713
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by Heavy_Metal »

hbcrandy wrote:
Heavy_Metal wrote:Hey, you forgot a pic of you conducting TubaChristmas!
Frank:

We don't want to scare our tubenet friends.
Yeah, you're right- never thought about that, but I don't scare that easily :) :)
Principal tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Old (early 1900s?) Alexander BBb proto-163
1976 Sonora (B&S 101) 4-rotor BBb
1964 Conn 20J/21J BBb (one body, both bells)
1970s Marzan Slant-rotor BBb
~1904 York 3P BBb Helicon
Old Alex Comp.F, in shop
antny2272
lurker
lurker
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:32 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by antny2272 »

The Seed and Feed Marching Abominable Sousa's
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
antny2272
lurker
lurker
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:32 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by antny2272 »

gigin barely fit in the club
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
antny2272
lurker
lurker
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:32 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by antny2272 »

1925 king jumbo
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
imperialbari
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 7461
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by imperialbari »

antny2272 wrote:1925 king jumbo
I notice that Bill bombed this photo also.
antny2272
lurker
lurker
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:32 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by antny2272 »

i love this beast
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
antny2272
lurker
lurker
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:32 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by antny2272 »

yep thats bill. let me stand in
User avatar
KevinMadden
3 valves
3 valves
Posts: 481
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:50 pm
Location: Ledgewood, NJ / Lincoln, NE

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by KevinMadden »

Image

In the Central Park of the Allure of the Seas with the only Brass Quintet at sea (on the major lines at least) (though we do also have to fake it a bit by using a soprano sax for 2nd trumpet)


The rest of the boys
Image

That's Devin Riley (USA), Myself (USA), Greg Carger (AUS), Garrett Hack (CAN), and Lyndon Carger (AUS)
Ithaca College, B.M. 2009
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, M.M. 2017, D.M.A. 2020
Wessex Artiste
Wessex "Grand" BBb, Wessex Solo Eb, Wessex Dulce
Bob Kolada
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 2632
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 1:57 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: Me & My Tuba, Add You & Yours

Post by Bob Kolada »

Playing F with the 484th Dixieland band in Green Bay last week. Thought I had one that was a little more me-centric somewhere... :mrgreen:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Post Reply