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I would like to know what the top 5 brands for each key of tuba is.
BBb
C
Eb
and F.
Not based necessarily on your favorite model of tuba but more on just, what companies make good tubas.

Also if anyone has a used Meinl weston, willson, miraphone, etc... that they are selling (CC 5/4 5 valves only) shoot me an email at tromboneaphone@gmail.com" target="_blank
Thanks guys,
Jim

There are MANY brands that have made or make great tubas. I have played on great tubas of well over a dozen different brands. But I WILL say that Meinl-Weston, B&S and Miraphone have been very industrious and innovative for a long time.

Casca Grossa wrote:Mack Brass
Wessex Tubas
Big Bottom Brass
Dillon
JZ
Also M&M for their "Special" F tuba

And I'd like five scoops of ice cream, please: vanilla, vanilla, vanilla, vanilla and vanilla.

Casca Grossa wrote:Mack Brass
Wessex Tubas
Big Bottom Brass
Dillon
JZ
Also M&M for their "Special" F tuba

Thanks! But the OP is looking for the "best" not the most affordable or inexpensive...
Al

Can I say Miraphone 5 times?
Bb- the big boy (not super impressed, yet), 191 and 1291
C- 1291-3, all those rotary horns you guys like
Eb- Star and Star Lite; a piston model would be nice
F- 1281; I'm not so much a fan of their rotary models
euph- the 1258 is still my favorite comp euph ever

They also make 3+1 Eb's and Bb's, that big Marzan-like Bb, several smaller contrabasses, rotary euphs, bass trumpet, Bb and NOW C (!!) slide contrabass trombones,...

Give me a 1291 Bb, a 1281 F (straighten that 4th valve out some please), and maybe one of their smaller things and I'll probably shut for a long time.

Casca Grossa wrote:He did ask what companies put out good tubas. As to the vanilla comment...I happen to enjoy a good vanilla ice cream...especially scooped and rotated the same direction. IMHO...there are no vanilla tubas just vanilla players. Don't blame the horn blame the player. I have heard my fair share of players that made a Hirsbrunner sound like sugar-free, unflavored, ice milk.

Casca "who came make any horn sound like vanilla, chocolate, Cherry Garcia, or Phish Food" Grossa.

You are a pretty funny guy, Casca.
But you listed dealers, not manufacturers (brands).

Hattori Hanzo.
Not a well known brand. But it's the brand Beatrix Kiddo plays when she subs for Pokorny.

SplatterTone wrote:Hattori Hanzo.
Not a well known brand. But it's the brand Beatrix Kiddo plays when she subs for Pokorny.

That's a good way to take out the entire string section like the nightclub scene.

In no particular order;

Meinl-Weston/B&S
Rudolf-Meinl
Nirschl
Miraphone
Besson/B&H

The last for developing the compensated EEb, rather than their quality today

Ok I'll bite. In no particular order. These are MY favorites based on what I have played and/or owned.

Meinl Weston
Willson
Gronitz
Nirschl
Yamaha

Top 5 Tuba brands as follows--------------Graves & Co,Boston, E.G Wright, Brura Keefer of Williamsport,Pa, Allen& Hall of Boston and John F Stratton.

Ok, so now I want to sit down with several horns and play to decide which I like best, but I don't know where to go to just sit down and play. Does anyone know of any shops that have a bunch of tubas that you can play? I noeed it to be in the western United States, preferably within a 600 mile radius of Salt Lake but anything in the West will do. Thanks guys!

I quit playing about 8 years ago. About 17 months ago, I started saving money and made a few trips to South Bend to sample the horns that were available, then purchased a tuba in April. It stood out to me that many of the tubas currently available offer outstanding levels of playability. These instruments vary in key, size, etc.

If you live in Utah, is a trip to LA to visit the Horn Guys out of the question? That would seem to be the closest place that would offer a reasonable sampling of instruments to try. Make a trip and try out as many as you can, but I understand that is sometimes not possible.

Just an opinion-give the Miraphone Bruckner a try. Of the new horns I played, I perfered it above all else. A fine, fine instrument that balances playability and sound quality as well as any model I have played.

Good luck in your search.

schlepporello wrote:Fly to San Antonio next February for TMEA.

OR Army Tuba Conference end of January...

IMO and in order:
1) Miraphone
2) Meinl Weston/B&S
3) Hirsbrunner
4) Willson
5) Yamaha

JJ

Well, what does "top" mean? Top selling? Highest quality?

Sales-wise, I'd imagine:
Miraphone
Meinl-Weston
B&S
Yamaha
Cerveny? (I dunno...)

Top quality (though many are excellent, these are more handmade/"boutique")
Alexander
Gronitz
Rudy Meinl
Thein
Hirsbrunner or Adams

How come Kanstul hasn't been listed? If your looking for a new horn and you are out west, the Horn Guys will have them to play. As you are sampling horns, these are worth your time to try.

1. The one you sound best on.
2. The one your teacher thinks you sound best on.
3. The one that lets you play the music in front of you with the least trouble.
4. The one that has the best pitch response with a mouthpiece that works for you.
5. The one you can play all day and with the least effort.

If someone wants a good 4/4 BBb horn, don't forget the King 2341. The new ones and all of the wide variety of older Kings have great reputations.

windshieldbug wrote:1. The one you sound best on.

+1,000,000