Wessex Gnagey Eb Two Great Reputations

[groovlow]

Is this the New World Tuba?
Eventually Jinbao will make a classic.
I think the potential resides in this project.
Best wishes to Sam and Jonathan on the 5V Wessex Gnagey Eb Tuba.
Additional info on FB, Gnagey comments "The bore is actually progressive from 17.5mm to 19mm in the 5th."
https://www.facebook.com/WessexTubas
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=66700
Joe

[UDELBR]

I sorta wish someone would make a LARGE Eb tuba, like Gronitz used to.

gronitz eb.jpg

I've got a homebuilt horn, quite similar to this (20 inch bell, 19-20.5 valveset) and it works great for all kinds of repertoire.

[GC]

The Kanstuls are pretty big.

Personally, I'd like to see the Champion modified to have a 4-valve compensating front valve set. I like the larger bell, but front valves are more comfortable to me.

[opus37]

The Kanstuls play great with a smooth organ like sound. I don't know the sound profile of these horns, but if you like the size and style you need to compare the two offerings. The Kanstuls are considerable more expensive, which may be a factor in your decision.

[Ken Crawford]

How about a Wessex piston valve F? Please?

[Wyvern]

Joe, Thank you for your post. We hope it will be a classic - every indication is it will be a great tuba!

Ian, the Gnagey Eb is a lot bigger than a Yamaha 621. It is similar size to a Besson 983, although very different being 5v non-compensated.

I hope this is the first in a line of collaboration between Wessex and Sam Gnagey - but for the present we are concentrating on getting the Eb out and moving some other new tubas (and euphonium, trombones, trumpet and cornet) to production.

I would certainly not rule out a large Eb later, or piston valve F, or...

All very exciting! I can't wait to check out the factory prototype of the Gnagey Eb.


From my playing of the development prototype, I think this may become my personal tuba of choice.

[imperialbari]

image.jpg

I can't tell from the photo of JG with the prototype how the valve block is laid out, but if it follows the print, it would be the first time I saw JG use a front action block of the old European type.

When starting from scratch why not use the far superior American-style block, where all but the 2nd piston have entry and exit for their loops on opposite sides. This allows for gentler bends of the airpath, 135 degrees versus 90 degrees.

Even my old European made York Master BBb uses the American style block, which was unique for European instruments back then, but which now is universal with all top makers in Europa.

Who would copy a Besson sousaphone over a Conn?

Klaus

[Wyvern]

Klaus, the important thing is how it plays, and the Gnagey Eb plays so incredibly good as it is we really do not want to change anything

[Tubadork]

It is a great player, if I played Eb I might just pick one up.
If this similar design turned into a piston F...
B

[Lectron]

Klaus, the important thing is how it plays, and the Gnagey Eb plays so incredibly good as it is we really do not want to change anything

Now.......imagen how good it COULD be.
I am sure you have already played MW2141 and PT-22
How would it compare?

[Sam Gnagey]

image.jpg

I can't tell from the photo of JG with the prototype how the valve block is laid out, but if it follows the print, it would be the first time I saw JG use a front action block of the old European type.

When starting from scratch why not use the far superior American-style block, where all but the 2nd piston have entry and exit for their loops on opposite sides. This allows for gentler bends of the airpath, 135 degrees versus 90 degrees.

Even my old European made York Master BBb uses the American style block, which was unique for European instruments back then, but which now is universal with all top makers in Europa.

Who would copy a Besson sousaphone over a Conn?

Klaus

Having played and enjoyed my Yamaha YFB-621 and my YEB-321 for several decades I was confident that this valve block design would perform well. Another common valve block that I use is from the King 2341 which also uses a "same side" port design on the 4th valve where routing might be considered most critical.
Sam

[Lectron]

Doesn't also Kanstul use 'same side' (variation) porting ?

How much the gain is using M-W style, I don't know. My experiance is that
allignement and accuracy trumph design in that matter.
Of course.....having both probably wouldn't hurt.

I was more concerned about the ergonomics and the stack of tubing
on the outher upper left, leaving them out og view and rather exposed.

[eupho]

Is there an estimate of what the price point will be and when they might be available? I am very, very interested.

[Wyvern]

We can't give price yet, as have not agreed production costs with factory. Best guess for when available is March 2016, but we will no doubt have production prototype at US Army Conference next January