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After spending last Saturday listening to Jim Self at KU, I've found my mind wandering often to thoughts of the Yamaha 822 F. I know there have been a lot of threads about this horn. I've never personally been able to play one, but have heard them played a lot. I have a question for those of you who have owned one of these horns: Leaving aside the subjective question of tone color (some say it's too bland, some say it ain't), how solid a horn would you say this is? They just look and sound easy to play to me. But then again, the people I've heard playing them would make rusted iron tube sound fantastic. How easy is it to make that great low register really speak? Is it easy to keep in tune (need alternate fingerings, pulling etc.)?

I'd appreciate any input.

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Have fun

One of the reasons there are so many differing opinions of the Yamaha 822 F tuba is that Yamaha kept tweaking that model over the years, making steady improvements. The early ones had terrible pitch, causing many owners to have a main tuning slide trigger installed. Later ones are quite good (for a tuba).

I bought my 822 F tuba new two and a half years ago. I do a little pulling and pushing of the first valve slide, and the low G is easier played in tune with a fourth valve slide pull (a sixth valve instead of the second valve would be perfect for that note).

This tuba is very responsive, and it is easy to have a consistent sound throughout its range. It has a great low range. The only note that isn't great (but it's still good) is low Bb. It is mouthpiece-sensitive, so you will have to do some experimenting. I (and some others) find the Roger Bobo Solo mouthpiece to be a good match.

You should take what I say, and what others have said, as only an indication of the possibilities of these tubas. You will have to try out individual examples yourself and make your own judgements about these very individual horns.

Best of luck,
Allen

I have owned 3 of these tubas. Every time I sell one, I regret it and end up buying another. The one I bought last month from Ferguson is the last one I'll buy. They are very easy instruments to play. They have the best low notes of ALL the F's I've played. They have great pitch, sound even up and down the horn and I love the sound. I asked a prominent tubist, "I want a tuba that has great low notes & pitch." He said, "The only tuba that will do what you want is the Yamaha 822." Currently, I own 6 F tubas, and the 822 is the one I seem to grab the most. If you want more info, please email me privately: ttuba@comcast.net" target="_blank