YCB661 experience

[Gilly]

Hi all,

I've been looking around for a while for a C tuba to replace my 186, that has a compact sound without feeling too small, tight and 'blatty'. It would be used for pit/show/musical work , brass quintet and other small chamber ensembles.
I have come across a relatively local YCB661 that looks to be in pristine condition and may fit the budget. Before I decide to make the 1 hour plane fight to play test, I would love to hear from folks that have had experience with this horn- good or bad. From what I can find throughout the archives, it seems to rate pretty well and possibly a shame it was dis-continued in the mid 90's.
Thanks in advance.
Dave

[T. J. Ricer]

Hey Dave,

It sounds like the 661 is just what you would want for those qualifications. . . compact and maneuverable for tight pit work, but quite a big playing horn. It is similar, in some ways, to a Cerveny Piggie, but I think the sound is weightier. I took mine on the New Sousa Band's China tour because it fits airline size/weight requirements without feeling like a tiny horn. Imagine wrapping an Alex 163 tightly enough that it would fit into the old standard sized Yamaha case and you'll be in the ballpark of how it sounds/feels. To me, it feels a good bit larger than a Mirafone 186, despite being several inches shorter. Pitch and response are solid, the valves are OK as long as you keep them clean and lubed. . . I used it for Tchaikovsky 4 last year with Springfield Symphony and the brass section seemed to agreed that it fit into the 3 bears not-to-big, not-to-small, just right category for that piece.

As always, YMMV.

--T. J.

Here's a shot of the 661 between a Rudy 5/4 and a PT-6, with a Gnageyphone in the background.

[PaulTkachenko]

Very nice tuba - you'll be very happy with it. It's pretty heavy, but that's great if (like me) you want to be a bit rough with it. Tuning is very good ... Initially I wasn't keen on the left hand 5th valve, but I hardly use it.

[tclements]

I my *humble* opinion, this is one of the best tubas yamaha ever made. I sold mine to Deanna Swoboda YEARS ago; I wish I hadn't....

[bort]

Randy Harrison has (had?) one of these for a long time. He posts to the board here every now and then (I think his s/n is hbcrandy). You might want to ask him.

[tclements]

If you DON'T buy it, tell the seller to call me!!!

[joshwirt]

I sold mine to a student....I really wish I hadn't. And everyone that heard me play it (or played it themselves) said 'really? you want to sell this thing?'

If there was ever a tuba I regret selling, its that 661...