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Hi everyone,

I've got a student asking me about Accent tubas as he's found a place willing to do a decent payment plan to purchase an instrument, but apparently that's the only line they carry (small, rural music store). I've visited their website, but would like some input from anyone who's familiar with these instruments as I don't recall ever seeing one or having a chance to play one. Any impressions, comments, concerns, etc. that anyone has with these I'd love to hear it, thanks!

SDF

I think theyre generally vmi horns, the stovepipe bb is quite nice.

I played an Accent instrument for about 3 years, it was alright for what I need then, but as I'm gearing up for college it started to hold me back. I'd go with a more known brand IMHO.

EuphtoTuba wrote:I played an Accent instrument for about 3 years, it was alright for what I need then, but as I'm gearing up for college it started to hold me back. I'd go with a more known brand IMHO.

I don't think that's an option in this case, because to be on the payment plan he would have to buy an Accent tuba (if he has to use the aforementioned payment plan). Could you talk more about the characteristics of the horn that you played for 3 years?

I am a little out of the loop on the newest import brands of tubas. In my experience, you are better off sticking with the more 'name brand' tubas. For no other reason, they hold their value better. As far as playability, MOST off-brands are not up to the calibre of the Mirafones, Meinls, B&S, Yamaha, Kanstuls, etc.

I don't know the manufacturer of Accent tubas, but their euphs are made by VMI, which is part of the B&S/Meinl portfolio. (Of course, B&S has a factory in China, so they could very well be of Chinese origin.)

Perhaps a PM or email to Deanna Swoboda would be in order. As far as I know, she is still a consultant and clinician for Accent . If memory serves, she was using an Accent BBb for her recital at TUSABTEC in '08 or '09.

bloke wrote:If strapped for cash, rather than being so concerned about getting something right this minute, why not save up about $7 each day for about ten months and buy one of the mainland China Hirsbrunner BBb copies w/case from one of us who sells them regularly or from one of us who sells them sporadically?

If he really wants a German-made VMI-103 (or the same thing with "Accent" engraved on it), he might be able to find a very nice used one if he can manage to save around $10 each day for about ten months...or maybe even a new one if he can manage to save around $15 each day for about ten months.

Used "new style" King 2341 tubas (U.S.-made/very nice indeed) seem to sell (good condition) in the used market for around $3500. That would require saving around $12 each day for approximately ten months.

save money first / shop for tuba tuba second / MANY more choices that way

Agree with Joe--I am not a fan of "payment plans" or of making a such a major purchase without carefully checking out all options available. When you have money in hand, you have more choice--what is this thing about the need to have a tuba in hand to take to college?? Any college/university music program that is worth a damn is going to have a decent tuba for you to use---and if not, why bother even going there? MUCH better to wait and get your money together and not settle for a horn you know nothing about.

JJ

Oh boy . . . my apologies for not quite being clear enough (apparently) . . . I certainly appreciate all the solid advice about saving and starting your search for the right weapon with well-known established and respected brands, but you guys are preaching to the choir.

My students are probably extremely tired of hearing me go on about saving, planning, and prioritizing when it comes to purchasing an instrument and I can't remember how many times I've had the same discussion with the same students about exploring all of your options, how to go about trying out a new horn, and all the various things to consider and do in the process.

We have several high-quality and extremely well-maintained (thanks to our local instrument maker/repair wizard Jeff Stelling) Yamaha and Miraphone tubas available for our students to use here at UNK, so the student I mentioned is not in a huge rush as he has a good instrument to play. That said, we've grown rapidly in my short time here and now there are far more tubists than tubas, and since none of them own their own instrument yet, they are having to share which, of course, can be an issue at times.

Naturally, I would NEVER recommend an instrument that I know absolutely nothing about, especially one that seems to be so "under-the-radar" such as an Accent. It's part of the job to know about such things, though, and since I was asked and know nothing about Accent and haven't ever seen or played one, I thought I might ask to see if anyone had any useful first-hand knowledge or impressions of their craftmanship and playing characteristics. Being surrounded by numerous small, rural school districts it's useful for me to know about such instrument brands as some schools often can't afford the bigger name brands, but still need something to replace their 75 year old King with three holes in it.

pgym wrote:I don't know the manufacturer of Accent tubas, but their euphs are made by VMI, which is part of the B&S/Meinl portfolio. (Of course, B&S has a factory in China, so they could very well be of Chinese origin.)

Perhaps a PM or email to Deanna Swoboda would be in order. As far as I know, she is still a consultant and clinician for Accent . If memory serves, she was using an Accent BBb for her recital at TUSABTEC in '08 or '09.

Good suggestion! I've contacted Deanna, but was also looking for "outside" info/opinions as well.

At any rate, thanks for the replies . . . if anyone has any first-hand experience or knowledge of these instruments I'd love to hear it!

Cheers,

SDF

My grandmother made it through 8 and a half decades without ever owning a credit card---her view (a view shared the vast majority from her generation) was very simple, if you can't pay for it in cash you do NOT need it---a lesson I had to learn the hard way...and something we need to seriously consider today.

JJ

Seth Fletcher wrote:
At any rate, thanks for the replies . . . if anyone has any first-hand experience or knowledge of these instruments I'd love to hear it!

Cheers,

SDF

Seth,

I haven't played an Accent in a few years, but when I tooted on a few (2006-ish) they were getting their tubas from the VMI/B&S/MW factory.

Deanna did at that time play Accent, as Dallas Brass became an Accent group. Not sure if they still do/are. At the time Deanna played an Accent stencil MW 45S-LZ F tuba, which is a very nice instrument. I also played an Accent MW 2145 CC copy, which I thought superb, able to compare alongside the MW itself.

Only problem is, they were offered by a local Iowa based store that priced the Accent stencil AS HIGH AS the MW originals. Considering that the horns were of such high quality it wasn't really an issue, but if you're thinking brand swagger for resale that would be another matter...

IMO, if you MUST go credit, you're better off going through WWBW, since their selection is far superior.

I am unable to locate any seller of the Accent tubas. The Accent website shows several supposed dealers, but none of them show that they even sell the horns. Any help out there?

Marshall Music in Lansing, MI is an Accent dealer. I have had many an opportunity to not only play these but also work on them. The 4 rotor BBb is a really nice instrument with great response. Feel free to inquire by calling 517-337-9700.

Chris Roush
Marshall Music - Lansing
Band and Orchestra Repair Division Manager

BAtlas wrote:

EuphtoTuba wrote:I played an Accent instrument for about 3 years, it was alright for what I need then, but as I'm gearing up for college it started to hold me back. I'd go with a more known brand IMHO.

I don't think that's an option in this case, because to be on the payment plan he would have to buy an Accent tuba (if he has to use the aforementioned payment plan). Could you talk more about the characteristics of the horn that you played for 3 years?

It broke every 3 months it seemed, it very stuffy in every range, it had more back pressure than one of my schools over the shoulder contras, and it was a Euphonium.
I would never recommend or condone this brand.

Played a nice 4/4 Bb at OMEA this past January. Nice sounding horn.