TubeNet

I just got this flashed on my Facebook - http://www.wessex-tubas.co.uk/bbb-travel-tuba/

Looks very interesting! http://www.wessex-tubas.com/wp-content/ ... .02.37.jpg

Sounds, well, interesting... I just might have to check one out.

The latest info I just got is that the US base price for lacquer brass finish will be $1950. It will be made by a different company than the F/Eb travel tuba.

BTW, I have no connection with Wessex other than as a customer.

Just shows how often I look in that section...

Thanks, Kiltie

One of the problems with posting in the Sponsors section is it does not allow discussion (except amongst Sponsors) and I am sure is not read by lots of people, so thanks for starting thread here.

Actually put against a tuner, the Mighty Midget is pretty good. Any 'suspect' tuning in video is no doubt me not used to playing BBb tuba with their specific intonation tendencies (I am usually an Eb and CC player). I hope someone better qualified to demonstrate can do so shortly, but I put up video as I know a number of people are dying to hear how the small tuba sounds. It does blow a lot easier than the Bubbie tuba and I can't help being amazed by its full and easy low register every time I pick it up.

Grooving for Heaven wrote:other than a centering problem (may not the the tuba itself) it has a nice tone, and shows some potential. Like I said, that thing would be great to take to lessons

I was thinking the same thing, I travel a lot and my lessons are along my travel route every other week, would be nice not lugging the big boy all over the place.

JJ

I could see a lot of non-serious (just for fun) uses for that thing such as taking it on public transit to something like tuba christmas etc. And I could see it as a viable starter horn for kids in 4th grade except the backside looks incredibly vulnerable with all that small tubing exposed. And damage to this area would significantly impact the playability of the horn IMHO.

KiltieTuba wrote:
A 2341 is big!?

Not until you put it in the jeep, drive 3hrs unload fight the crowd to get the practice room for your lesson, fight said crowd to get back to jeep, drive another 2 and 1/2 hours unload stay a week and reverse the process. In the grand scheme of all things tuba no it's not big. Just thought the Wessex could offer option when either space or time was tight.

JJ

There are a couple Wessex BBb's that I'm quite interested in, and this one just was added on that list. Now if only they made a 4 valve helicon.

Kitch

Jerryleejr wrote:

KiltieTuba wrote:
A 2341 is big!?

Not until you put it in the jeep, drive 3hrs unload fight the crowd to get the practice room for your lesson, fight said crowd to get back to jeep, drive another 2 and 1/2 hours unload stay a week and reverse the process. In the grand scheme of all things tuba no it's not big. Just thought the Wessex could offer option when either space or time was tight.

JJ

I understand your concerns, but as a developing (redeveloping?) player, it would be detrimental to bring any kind of "mini tuba" to lessons as you are building your fundamentals of sound, intonation, breathing, etc.

And the Wessex CC Tornister is coming when . . . ?

circusboy wrote:And the Wessex CC Tornister is coming when . . . ?

We will see...

KiltieTuba wrote:
He's not probably not having them new players blow on his mini, but will pull it out to demonstrate certain concepts.

Actually I'm the one taking lessons, but good point from both sides...

JJ

One point I would make about playing mini tuba where the new BBb Mighty Midget is the same as the F/Eb Bubbbie is that both reveal deficiencies with the player's technique and tone more than on a full size tuba. In other words the tone and buzz of the player more effects the sound coming out than it would on full size tuba. This I think makes them really good as practice instruments and for receiving lessons. It forces the player to pitch accurately with their buzz and produce good tone, making them a stronger and better player on full size tuba.

I would therefore rather than avoid using for lessons, say it is a good way of identifying deficiencies and refining the player to improve.

Curmudgeon wrote:Buzz on your mouthpiece to find deficiencies. Make improvements on your regular tuba.

No intermediate tuba shaped object needed.

If you want an extra small, tuba-shaped object for fun, then buy one.

This!

Mr. Hodgetts, can you speak to the choice of using the 9.5 inch bell instead of say a 12 inch bell. Did you test different bell sizes, or was the bell size settled on just a true representation of a tornister tuba?

Kitch

I'm no expert on the matter, but it looks like the main tuning slide on the bottom loops around itself. Maybe they're planning on having a shorter crook for turning it into a CC tuba as well. I saw someone asking if they were going to market one in C. Maybe they're planning on making this one a doubler.

2GBTG wrote:Mr. Hodgetts, can you speak to the choice of using the 9.5 inch bell instead of say a 12 inch bell. Did you test different bell sizes, or was the bell size settled on just a true representation of a tornister tuba?

The bell size was determined by following vintage tornister tuba design and to keep the tuba small enough to carry on air flights as cabin luggage to be a true travel tuba. Larger bell is not needed as the small tuba is already powerful enough to play in wind band. I attach a couple pictures of when I tried out with the Wessex Military Band (only connected with my company is the name) and found it worked fine as the only tuba. Another member of the band commented on Facebook page "It sounded really good - the only Tuba in a decent sized band and still sounded full. He didn't have to rift the notes out!"

tylerferris1213 wrote:I'm no expert on the matter, but it looks like the main tuning slide on the bottom loops around itself. Maybe they're planning on having a shorter crook for turning it into a CC tuba as well. I saw someone asking if they were going to market one in C. Maybe they're planning on making this one a doubler.

Taking out the amount in main tuning slide loop is not enough to put into CC, so this cannot be doubler like the Bubbie tuba. However it does go a way towards putting into CC which should make cutting elsewhere not too drastic. I cannot promise this tuba in CC version, as can't be sure it will work, but would like if possible...

Obviously similar in design, but not the same.

KiltieTuba wrote:...The contrabass trombone in F is copied from Kantul or Rath, the BBb is copied from Miraphone...

Hmm, the F is more like the Thein and the BBb looks like the Miraphone BBb that is more or less copied from the old Conn, the Roy Benson ST-220 is a modified copy of the Yamaha children trombone in Bb/C that is more or less a copy of the old Conn Preacher on and on... As we use to say when playing most of the new music and hear the old everywhere, there are no new melodies anymore

Anyway, it will be quite interesting to see and hear the Wessex Tornister IRL, that even a poor trombonist may be able to come near

KiltieTuba wrote:Hence "more-or-less"

Who claimed it is a new design? The design dates back to the 19th century with the tornister tuba made for the Austro-Hungarian Army Bands by Cerveny - but has not been in production for over one hundred years. In more recent years Bob Tucci had a few hand-made examples made, but according to his website no longer sells.

Neither the Chinese factories, or I are innovative enough to come up with completely new designs - but what I am trying to do is bring some great designs from the past back into production, if possible with enhancements and make available to modern players at reasonable prices they can afford.