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Hi tubaplayers,
a few weeks ago I visited the Musikmesse in Frankfurt.
I played on a lot of different tuba's.
For the first time I have been playing a Willson f tuba.
I was very impressed by this instrument.I find it has a very big sound,good intonation and plays very well all over the different octaves.
I am thinking of buying one now.
Are there other tuba players who have eperience with this instrument? I am curious to hear other opinions.

Frank Vantroyen

laeven wrote:Frank,
I already play a Willson F for a few years. Magnificent instrument: plays as easy as an euphonium, but with the sound of a C-tuba.
One remark only: in my view ALL Willsons produce a better sound with ROTAX valves only than with piston valves (bigger sound and more orchestral).

I agree completely. The Willson rotary F has just as good playability as the piston F, but it has more of an F-tuba sound. If you want a tuba with the playability of an F and the sound of a C, the piston Willson is hard to beat. If you want it to sound a little more like an F, the rotary Willson tends in that direction. I have heard exceptionally beautiful playing on both.

Rick "who would love to spend sufficient time with both to try and figure out why they are different" Denney

Thanks for the reactions.
I am still not sure which one to choose.
I am a little afraid of rotary valves.
At this moment I play both, tuba's with pistons and instruments with rotary valves.They all have their own properties.
In slow legato playing I prefer rotary valves,but when it comes to fast slurs or technical stuff I like to play on a piston instrument.For the moment I have 2 F tuba's.A B&S 3100 (6 rotary valves) and a small kalison Daryl Smith (4 pistons, 1 rotary).
The reason I am thinking about buying a Willson is yes indeed the rich and big sound this instrument had when I tested it.
I only played on the piston instrument.so I hope to find here some more reactions about the instrument and opinions about rotary valves or pistons.
Frank

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Dear Hubert,
this seems to be a good deal.
I have your mail adress now.
We have moved to another place but I think the distance won't be a problem.
I am very curious to play that tuba.

Thanks for the invitation anyway.
PS: It is only the musicstand and the chair that are waiting for you , you got the music a long time ago.

Frank
frank.vantroyen@pandora.be