TubeNet

I'm curious about both the YFB-621/821 and Meinl-Weston 2182 F tubas. I have played each. I am not in the market for either at this time, just researching for my own information.
They are both smaller F tubas which are easy to play. They are in the ballpark of the same size. I understand that the 2182 is a bit larger in the bell and valves and has a darker sound. The 2182 uses basically the same bell as an Alexander 155 F tuba. I'm really interested in the pitch problems with each. The Yamaha's issues (sharp first space A and Ab and flat fifth partial) seem to be well discussed on tubenet. The 2182's pitch issues don't seem widely discussed. The only 2182 I played was in 2007 at the meinl-weston factory. It was raw brass. I recall that it had a very very flat fifth partial, but I recall little beyond that. I've read that they all don't have that problem. Was that one a prototype? Are the production ones better in that regard? Do either of these models have a useable fifth partial? Is the open C in the staff sharp on either of these models? Is there any other F tuba approximately the size as these which compares favorably? If anyone has first hand knowledge of these models but doesn't want to post, but is willing to discuss via PM, I'd appreciate it much.

Thanks,
Christian

For size the 2182 is a bit larger. I would say that the 621 is much smaller and is, more or less, the same size as the MW-182 (which is often confused as the rotor version of the 2182- it is not). Also, the bore size on the 2182 is .846˝ (larger than the MW-2250, MW-45slp, and the YFB-822) vs. the 621’s 0.689". I have owned a 2182/2 (the handmade version) for several years now and can speak on some of the questions of pitch you brought up. But, this is my experience with the handmade 2182, not the production version. I have very little problems playing mine in tune. This is what I do to get pitch where it needs to be - for Eb in the staff I pull the first out slightly, D below the staff & in the staff I use 3 (vs 1,2). For 5th partial A and Ab I usually use 1,2 and 2,3, but playing them 0 and 2 is very usable on mine, but do tend to ride 10-15 cents flat. The open C on mine is right on. I think the small bell (15”) on the 2182’s makes the horn appear smaller than it really is. To me the 2182 has a lot of horsepower with a solid low end like the larger piston F tubas, but the clarity that it can achieve due to the smaller bell is very very handy (especially in quintet!) I wonder if Meinl Weston will ever make a large bell version of the 2182? Similar to what they did with the Thor. Only played the 621 a few times at shows and such, so I cannot speak or compare the two that much.

tuba114 wrote: Also, the bore size on the 2182 is .846˝ (larger than the MW-2250, MW-45slp, and the YFB-822) vs. the 621’s 0.689".

Thank you very much for your post.

When the 2182 came out, I believe the published bore of the piston valves on the 2182 was 18 mm (.708") while the fifth valve is 21.5mm (.846"). Some of the sites selling these list the .708" piston bore size.

The Meinl-Weston site now says that the pistons are 19mm (.748˝) with the 4th valve 20mm (.787˝). I wonder if it changed or that's or a misprint.

cjk wrote:I'm curious about both the YFB-621/821 and Meinl-Weston 2182 F tubas.

If I had to pick one or the other, I'd pick the Miraphone Petruschka.

bloke wrote:

Mark wrote:

cjk wrote:I'm curious about both the YFB-621/821 and Meinl-Weston 2182 F tubas.

If I had to pick one or the other, I'd pick the Miraphone Petruschka.

Were I looking for one of those "imitates contrabass tubas" F tubas, I'll look at the Petruschka, the M-W 2250, and that rotary Willson F that is currently for sale in Australia.

I've seen you say stuff like this a couple of times. What do you mean by "imitates contrabass tubas"? Is that size/tone/playability? What would be examples of imitates contrabass tuba vs not imitates contrabass tuba?

Genuinely curious about how others see this…

Hi-
There is a new version of the 2182...larger valves, I believe(?) 5th valve different, etc. Played one at NERTEC-nice.
Mark