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Hi all,

I have a 1960 B&H Imperial Eb tuba in great condition. It was my main tuba and I used it for practically everything.
Lately, I feel like it's time to move on, mostly because I have recently moved to Berlin, and they don't really use Eb here.

The question is, is it because of the top action and bell to the right? Will it be noticeable if one plays a front action Eb like for example, the Meinl Weston 2141L?
Does anyone have one of these front action Eb's, and can tell if it sounds and/or feels the same as an F tuba?

Thanks for reading!

F or Eb tuba?
Right vs left facing bell?
Tradition?

Find a tuba that suits you best, regardless of any of the above.

I'm a brass band person who plays a Yamaha Custom F in a brass band. I play a Bb tuba in the orchestra. No complaints so far!

But I have heard of "tradition" issues in one particular band from a British Bb Bass player going up against a rotary F tuba player, in a brass band. The F tuba player's standard was that high, he put the traditionalist in his place on a couple of occasions.

Find the tuba that is right for you!

A gentleman I know has been to Germany a few times. Once while out bicycling, he noticed his tire was running low and stopped at a gas station to use the compressed air, to fill it.

This is not done in Germany, one carries a small hand pump for this purpose. The police arrived before he finished.

If you have been given to understand that in your situation one plays an F tuba, it would probably be just as well to look into that.

Dear redeyal,

Unless you are auditioning for a larger orchestra, you can play whatever you want.
If you feel you need to "fit in" then there are many "stealth" tubas available, and yes a MW2141 is a good example, but i wouldn't lose sleep over it;) A lot of folks in Berlin play C and Eb tubas (rotary and piston) and they seem to do just fine.

I have used countless air compressors at gas stations across Berlin to pump up my bike tires, and I have had no encounters with the police.

cheers
2165

There is, or at least used to be an American living in Germany who taught at a prestigious hochscule fuer musik, had a brass quintet and played in an opera orchestra, who played it all on a British Eb tuba.

In a phone conversation with him, he indicated that he was told he would HAVE TO play F tuba in the audition for the orchestra. He did not have one, and he figured that it they couldn't tell the difference, it really did not matter. He got the job and held it for years, so I guess that it really did not matter that it was a compensating Eb.

Thank you all for the very interesting comments!
But my question was more if someone has that tuba, or have ever played one and could tell me if it can be confused with an F tuba.

I like the german rules, that's why they are one of the most stable countries in the world. And still, rules are made to be broken. Tradition on the other hand, is something thats hard to change.
Top action tubas looks and feels outdated to me (no offense England!), and I'm saying that after playing this amazing Eb for almost 10 years, winning competitions and playing with orchestras as a soloist, and in the orchestra.
It kinda feels like having an old Nokia brick cellular at times when everyone else has smartphones.
I love my tuba, but it's time to move on.
Financially, I can't look for the right tuba for me, at least not now. I'm looking for people who sell their's and hopefully get used to any tuba.

Personally, I'd keep the Eb and buy a BBb. You'll probably need it there. If you can make a good impression on a BBb w/rotary valves (the status quo) it'll be easier to sell your Eb playing. We can't all own 20+ tubas.

I agree that one should buy the horn one likes. If you can find that tuba in a rotary BBb, its one less obstacle as a foreigner, something you will always be.

Already have and play a BBb? Try borrowing an F first to see if it's something you like. You might just want to stay on Eb but find a german model to get more of a german sound.

And; learn the language!

Good luck

British style 3+1 compensated Eb are certainly not unknown in German. I have only this last week sold one to German living in Hamburg. He told me his teacher (in one of the top symphony orchestras) also owns a top action Eb.

As said before unless your job depends on it play what you like!

--standing in defense of 3+1 TA Eb tubas--

Harrumph. Play what you play well. No need to add a level of difficulty.