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Hi

I am getting back into Brass bands and am playing a 994. ( not a GS). Which Besson is the 993 similar too- the 994 or the 992? I have read a lot of people prefer the 992 or earlier models over the 994, so am curious as to where the 993 fits in.

Patrase wrote:Hi

I am getting back into Brass bands and am playing a 994. ( not a GS). Which Besson is the 993 similar too- the 994 or the 992? I have read a lot of people prefer the 992 or earlier models over the 994, so am curious as to where the 993 fits in.

The 993 has the same layout as the 983 -- front-action 4-valve comp.

I play a 994 in brassband and have played a 993 once to try it out.
They play pretty much the same = not air efficient, bad ergonomics and the 993 does not have the advantage of the 'faster' (to me) 3+1 setup...

I would go out and try the Yamaha Neo BBb 3+1 comp. if I were you ...

Thanks. For the top grade brass band stuff the 3 +1 setup makes the low technical stuff so much easier (we just played Harmony Music and Journey to the centre of the earth couldn't imagine doing it using my pinkie). Am also tempted to get a 993 or a miraphone 1291 5 valve and modify it so that the 4th valve is operated by the left hand via a linkage as the non compensators are relatively more efficient. The neo is tempting, my problem is that in Australia it it not easy to test Bb tubas.

Patrase wrote:Thanks. For the top grade brass band stuff the 3 +1 setup makes the low technical stuff so much easier (we just played Harmony Music and Journey to the centre of the earth couldn't imagine doing it using my pinkie). Am also tempted to get a 993 or a miraphone 1291 5 valve and modify it so that the 4th valve is operated by the left hand via a linkage as the non compensators are relatively more efficient. The neo is tempting, my problem is that in Australia it it not easy to test Bb tubas.

Just curious what do you have a lot of in Australia.

We were traditionally like the UK - lots of Eb's and Bb's because of brass bands. Most school kids learn on Eb and some on Bb. Then from the 90's onwards Steve Rosse introduced the American concept of tuba's to us (European F's and C's). Since then (based on my limited knowledge of the market) there has been a lot of university students buying and playing C's and F's, although a few of the younger brigade seem to be playing European Eb's rather than F's, as they grew up with Eb fingering. In saying that when I played at the NSW state champs a very high percentage of players were using the Sovereign style Bb's and Eb's in the Brass Bands. You don't see many European style Bb's. There are heaps of Sovereign Eb's kicking around. So I guess we are pretty diverse in what we play - a mix of the US and the UK.

Central Coast sounded great at states... Nice work.

I am a big fan of using brass band style tubas in a brass band. Having a section full of the same style of tuba makes things much much easier... also much easier to make the 'right' type of tuba-section-sound. Neo.

Check out Greg Aitken at Brass Music Specialists in Brisbane. I bought a BBb Neo from him - I think it is great tuba. He also has a heap of instruments to try out, if you're able to make the trip up there. Give him a call I think.

I also tried out the Wessex BBbs that Box Hill bought from the UK. They sound nice, but needed a few tuning adjustments (or I needed to play it for more than 2 hours)... they're heaps cheaper than a Neo, so it depends on your priorities and budget. Good luck!

I spoke to Brass Music specialists, the Neo seems great and they have one in stock plus they seem like they offer great service at competitive prices. But am now thinking a Rotary Bb like a miraphone 191 as they seem kinder on fingers and my index finger is giving me trouble. I played a Norwegian star last night and the rotary valves are so much nicer than the 994 pistons. Thanks for the compliments about Central Coast

Played a Neo last night...just to get confirmed I don't like it, but pistons ain't that bad
Intonation is good, and fingering is easy. Ergonomics is good. Just kinda...boring and...
...generic sound

I prefer the Sov over the neo thou, but play neither as I prefer the 191 or 12915 (as I play)
over them both.

But back to the 993.
That is suppose to be lighter than the 994 AND. Being front action, one can use softer springs.
Ergonomics is probably also better than the 994 (should be easy enough)

I am currently playing the Bb part but before that when were in B grade I was playing the Eb part on my Pt6, but with the move to A grade and the Bb bass section I started playing the 994. But the 994 just doesn't blow like a Pt 6 and I am starting to miss the rotary valves, so when the time is right I think I will get a nice rotary German Bb. But there doesn't seem to be many used 5 valve ones out there so will probably have to dig deep and buy new. I did see a guy playing a melton 197 4 valve at the band championships - he was pulling slides like a trombonist in all the low stuff - I guess that's why the compensators are so good for brass band stuff and while a 4 valve non comp Bb is tempting because of the price the technical inconvenience is to great.

Would be interested to know which Wessex models Box Hill bought. Perhaps we should start a 'what sort of tubas does your Brass Band use' thread in the lead up to next years Nationals