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They're fairly bright horns. I think I used my contrabone mp; it played fine. I didn't try it with both slides.
I'd prefer that valve set (actually the oval horn's so the slides would be long enough to be usable) on a regular euph body. That'd be an interesting horn especially with five valves.

1. I don't know what a "small tuba mouthpiece" is but I use a large shank euphonium mouthpiece for this horn.

2. I use the horn with the Bb tuning slide and the middle "G" is extremely sharp. At first, I thought that was the result of using the horn with the Bb tuning slide instead of the C tuning slide, but when I switched slides, I still had problem with the "1+2" valve combination.

3. I played a Miraphone upright rotary euphonium over 20 years ago, and based on what I remember, the tenor tuba has a much darker tone compared with the Miraphone (the Miraphone had a very "bright" sound). Also, the tenor physically weighs more than the Miraphone.

Even with the intonation problem with the "G", the tenor tuba is very fun to play. After I play on my compensating euphonium, I would switch to the tenor tuba and the rotary valves would feel light and quick compared with the compensating euphoniums piston valves.

I just noticed from your "question about adding a 5th valve" post that you're 6'8". That will cause some ergonomics problem with the tenor tuba since the lead pipe is located lower than an euphoniums lead pipe. I'm only 5'4" and I have to hold the tenor tuba up to play when I'm sitting up straight or I have to bend over a little to play it with the horn resting on my lap.

Take a looks at the comparison picture on Wessex Tuba website between the tenor tuba and the compensating euphonium to see what I mean.

It's a short horn. I'm 6'10" and didn't play it sitting down but it's different than regular euphs.

I have just weighed the C/Bb tenor tuba and it is 3.3kg, or 7lb 4oz - which compares to 4.4kg, or 9lb 8oz for the Wessex compensated euphonium.

The tenor tuba is a lot larger than the Bubbie tuba which weighs in at only 2.8kg, or 6lb 3oz

Do note that these tenor tuba take a euphonium mouthpiece. They can also be played with a small shank tuba mouthpiece, like the Denis Wick 5

Grooving for Heaven wrote:that's fine, I assumed I would have to get a new mouthpiece. I use a sm3m on my besson, so I'll have to find something with a lage shank

Do email me direct at Jonathan@Wessex-Tubas.com" target="_blank if you wish to discuss further

When I was getting back into playing, I bought a compensating euphonium because I wanted something better than what I played in school (i.e., a non-compensating horn). But I also bought the tenor tuba because I also remembered how fun it was playing a Miraphone rotary euphonium years ago. Even now, after play the compensating euphonium, playing the tenor tuba feels quick and light.

Good luck on your purchase and I wonder if you'll also have the same intonation problem that I have with the "G" in the staff being very sharp.

Can't wait to hear what you think of this horn. I'm particularly interested in how it behaves in Bb mode (as I'm too old to be learning C). Also, anxious to see if you like the sound better with a euph mouthpiece or a small shank tuba mp like the Wick. Have fun playing with it!

Grooving for Heaven wrote:I don't have a small shank tuba MP, but judging from my experience of attempting to play euph with a bass bone MP, I can't imaging it's a pleasant experience.

I believe you can use pretty much any size of trombone mouthpiece you want depending on the size of your face and what you want to sound like.

I have a good friend who uses a Schilke 57 on euph and sounds amazing with it. Several posters here use various Bass bone mouthpieces like the Doug Yeo on their euph. I have a Doug Yeo and it works on the euph but not well enough for what I do(ie. Brass band). I've been using the SM3 for 2 months abut I used the PS Solo for about 3 years before that.

The SM3M you use is about in the same diameter as a small bass trombone mouthpiece would be. (Cup profiles, depths and tapers are another issue to talk about but hard to compare given the variety between manufacturers.)

http://www.dwerden.com/mouthpieces/trom ... honium.cfm" target="_blank

I read a forum string on Dave Werden's site about the Wessex tenor tuba and I'm intrigued. I sent an email to inquire further and may be adding one of these interesting horns to my horn pile. I'm playing a Besson 968 euph right now and the news that I can carry my 4AL right over is very nice. More news to follow!