Packer F Tuba Review

[TubaZac2012]

All I can say is wow. I played it for about 20 minutes at Bloke's house, and my goodness what a sound that thing could produce. If you don't know the Packer is a "copy" of the PT-15, and my goodness it is just an amazing instrument.

I didn't have an F tuba mouthpiece, and didn't wanna both Bloke with rigging one up so I used whatever came in the case, like it matters. First note it just sang, it was so free blowing, and easy to get around on. I played a few things I had memorized because I didn't have any F tubaish music, but everything I played was so effortless.

Compared to the PT-15 original, I really feel like this is a better horn. It's easier to play, the low end isn't nearly as bad as on a 15, people who've played one will know what I'm talking about, and it just had a sweeter sound.

The rotors were actually higher quality than my Chinese CC tuba, so I would love to own one, eventually I'll probably invest in one, because man, they are sweet! I had never heard of the brand until this weekend at Bloke's house, but wow is it great, hopefully I can get my hands on one and own one soon!

[PaulMaybery]

[TubaZac2012]

Yes indeed!

[TubaZac2012]

' glad you liked playing it!

This one is out the door, but I suspect I'll be getting more of them.

I heard. A guy asked me how it played, he said he bought it and I gave him a nice review. He should be very happy!

[hockeyched]

how much are they goin for?

[bisontuba]

At Tuba Exchange:

http://www.tubaexchange.com/jp-379-sterling-ff-tuba" target="_blank

[Mark]

Is there a six-valve version?

[tubacorbin]

' good to know that my pricing is competitive.

[DouglasJB]

I'm waiting on the 6 valve version of this or the Wessex Strauss.

[toobagrowl]

Have you noticed that the new high-end Chinese brasses (John Packer/Eastman/Wisemann) are well into the new Cerveny/St.Pete/Conn-Selmer(King)/Jupiter brasses' pricing?

One must ask oneself: is it better to get a new high-end Chinese clone OR get a used, high-end, real-deal horn for the same or less?

[bisontuba]

Have you noticed that the new high-end Chinese brasses (John Packer/Eastman/Wisemann) are well into the new Cerveny/St.Pete/Conn-Selmer(King)/Jupiter brasses' pricing?

One must ask oneself: is it better to get a new high-end Chinese clone OR get a used, high-end, real-deal horn for the same or less?

Hi-
The EASTMAN CC is NOT a clone.....
Mark

[Bob Kolada]

6 valve Chinese F...

http://www.thomann.de/de/thomann_fireball_m_ftuba.htm

A little different, but I think the Laabs' "imported" chimp is a 6 valver as well. I thought that strange.

[tubamlb]

Yes, That is A very good F tuba , M&M has this instrument , It is made by Jinbao for them

Last price was $2,300.00

Michael

[michael_glenn]

I really want to try that Thomann Fireball F. It sure looks like a pretty tuba. But does it play like a pretty tuba?

I also want to try the Packer F. But the glamour shots of that Thomann sure do make it look nice. If I had unlimited funds, I would gamble and buy one simply out of curiosity.

[toobagrowl]

Hi-
The EASTMAN CC is NOT a clone.....
Mark

The exception, not the rule. But most models are outright clones. I'm sure the Eastman CC is nice and all, but isn't it really just an improved CC version of the King 2341?

I'd like to see some real innovation; not just more improved/variants of existing designs, but new, original designs I'm sure I'll get some flack for that.

Packer costs more than Jinbao. The higher pricing matches the build quality.

Still outright clones, no matter how well-made they are. Something about that still kinda bothers me...

[bisontuba]

http://www.tempestmusicalinstruments.co ... egory_id=3" target="_blank

http://youtu.be/8iPTQZrZl_E" target="_blank

[Michael Bush]

I'd like to see some real innovation; not just more improved/variants of existing designs, but new, original designs

This is fine, and I'm as curious as the next guy about different tubas. And at the same time, every time I read this thought about tubas, I remember that probably 90% of all trumpets are visually identical for all practical purposes...

[TubaZac2012]

I'm sure most people know that Packer is not Jinbao.

My cimbasso is Jinbao...
My cimbasso plays "great". The tuning is "easy", and the sound of it is "just what I hoped it would be"...
...but my cimbasso is NOT a "daily player" instrument.
Were my cimbasso a "daily player" instrument, I would definitely be looking for another set of linkage (perhaps rotors as well...??) for it.

Different people, though, have different levels of needs, and different levels of priorities.
As just one type of example, many people bring (definitely high-end) tubas (with high-end build quality) into my shop with (potentially) extraordinarily-good valves...but those valves are often filthy, and often function FAR WORSE than Jinbao valves...
...but NEARLY NONE of those people ask me to clean their valves or make their valves work better. Typically, they want dents removed, want new felts, or want some gadgety thing added to their instrument.

Packer costs more than Jinbao. The higher pricing matches the build quality.

It cost more, but the couple grand extra is seriously worth it, because it plays better than the horn they copied. I can't say and be positive that the Packer is the BEST F tuba made by the Chinese, but it's the best I've played.

[eupher61]

The new Eastman CC is Matt Walter's design. It's not an identical clone of the Conn 56J. There are, according to Matt, several key differences between what Conn cobbled together and what Eastman built.

And at the same time, every time I read this thought about tubas, I remember that probably 90% of all trumpets are visually identical for all practical purposes...

Until consideration for different keys and rotary valves is made, easily. The differences in new designs aren't in visual changes as much as bore and materials. And cryogenics.

[Michael Bush]

And cryogenics.