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I got to honk on one of these a couple weeks ago and *really* liked it. It would do everything except hold up a large ensemble, and probably there are people who could even do that with it. However, the price is far beyond me at this point. Is there anything else out there that is even remotely in this category? I find pistons just don't work for me ergonomically, since they are designed for longer bodies and arms, but I haven't found a rotary instrument that I can't make work.

No clue... but maybe a really good old Miraphone 183 could be pretty close?

The St. Pete 206 is a nice little rotary Eb for the price. Certainly cheaper than the 283.

This depends on what you mean by "remotely in this category". If that includes a small/medium 4-valve (rotary) Eb tuba, these show up on German Ebay with reasonable frequency, and at quite a range of prices. Here's a Weltklang for a little over $1,100: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Tuba-Weltklang-E ... 19f890e16a.

If you need 5 valves, that starts to really narrow it down.

I have short arms too. I find the Kanstul 66 works well. It is a piston horn that can be had in 5 valves. I personally like the more organ like sound of the Kanstul over the Miraphone.

Wessex should have tuba to fulfil your requirements very shortly. I have to do some play testing to approve. Watch this space...

Seconded on the St Pete; I prefer how it plays to either of the Stars.

The Meinl-Weston/Melton 2040 rotary Eb seems to be pretty respectable, and can be had with or without 5 valves. They're expensive, though. I've never tried one personally.