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Good morning everyone!

I am currently planning a tuba festival at Wright State for this October and am working with Music & Arts to have horns available for people to test and buy (possibly below regular market price ). Below are the models I am planning to request but am looking to see if there are others than people would want to see.

B&S PT6 (both piston and rotor)
B&S Mr. P CC
B&S PT10
B&S Mr. P F
Eastman CC
Eastman BBb
Gronitz PCK
Miraphone 186CC
Miraphone Firebird
MW Fafner
MW 2250
Yamaha 822

I am trying to select models that are most-likely to be purchased. If we have a good turnout and many of the horns are purchased, then that will improve the chances that this event can happen again and with more horns available.

I happen to think that some of the newer imports are becoming the subjects of a great deal of curiosity and conversation. Most of these have been developed beyond being simple clones and do offer an alternative to their reference horns. Some are original design such as BMB, some of the newer Wessex, and the Eastman CC.

BMB (Big Mouth Brass)
any or all of their current models, but particularly the BATs, 4/4 CC, and F tuba.

Wessex: "Berg" F tuba
Gnagey Eb front action piston
"Wyvern" 5/4 Piston CC (available later 2016)
Cimbasso.
F contrabass trombone.
BBb contrabass trombone
Valved ophicleide-bombardon (when and if it becomes available)
Bb Ophicleide

Packer: F & CC

Wiseman: 900 5/4 CC

Eastman: CC & BBb

PaulMaybery wrote:I happen to think that some of the newer imports are becoming the subjects of a great deal of curiosity and conversation. Most of these have been developed beyond being simple clones and do offer an alternative to their reference horns. Some are original design such as BMB, some of the newer Wessex, and the Eastman CC.

BMB (Big Mouth Brass)
any or all of their current models, but particularly the BATs, 4/4 CC, and F tuba.

Wessex: "Berg" F tuba
Gnagey Eb front action piston
"Wyvern" 5/4 Piston CC (available later 2016)
Cimbasso.
F contrabass trombone.
BBb contrabass trombone
Valved ophicleide-bombardon (when and if it becomes available)
Bb Ophicleide

Packer: F & CC

Wiseman: 900 5/4 CC

Eastman: CC & BBb

Paul, I completely agree with what you have said about these importers. However, as I am getting M&A to bring in the instruments (and am trying to get them to provide discounts and financing as they do at other events), I am not sure that they would be very happy if I brought in other companies. I will definitely check with them.

Eastman is sold by them, so I will try to get those. The list has been updated and I will appreciate other recommendations.

Maybe one of the 129x series from Miraphone, and the 291 Bruckner. Some of the Adams tubas. The newer St. Pete tubas with the pistons are cheaper and supposedly pretty good.

I won't be attending this but I would really like to try out a Piggy CC. They sound great and I have never played a CC. I've played trumpet since I was 7 years old and would like to see how easy it would be to catch onto the CC fingerings since they are very similar to trumpet fingerings but with the bass clef.

Cerveny 601 BBb
Melton 197/198
Nirschl 6/4 BBb--both the "American/Martin/York" style and the modified B&F Kaiser style
6/4 Rudi Meinl BBb
--All preferably with 5 factory installed valves

Of the models listed, I've seen only one of them in person. I played it for so brief a time that it "doesn't count."

Hey, the OP asked for a wish list. I'll be at the conference if he's able to get at least two of these horns on display to try.

I'd like to try an F tuba with magic powers!

Trying tubas is always fun, but I'm interested in what else might happen at this festival. Any hints or previews?

Michael Bush wrote:Trying tubas is always fun, but I'm interested in what else might happen at this festival. Any hints or previews?

Michael, I wish I did have something for you, but we are in the earliest stages of panning at the moment. Once we have a definite date, we will reach out to some artists for clinics and recitals.

Steve Marcus wrote:Cerveny 601 BBb
Melton 197/198
Nirschl 6/4 BBb--both the "American/Martin/York" style and the modified B&F Kaiser style
6/4 Rudi Meinl BBb
--All preferably with 5 factory installed valves

Of the models listed, I've seen only one of them in person. I played it for so brief a time that it "doesn't count."

Hey, the OP asked for a wish list. I'll be at the conference if he's able to get at least two of these horns on display to try.

Steve, is there something specific you like about the 197/8 compared to the Fafner? I have no experience with the former but it does seem like a larger version (with a smaller bell) of the 195.

The Big Ben wrote:I won't be attending this but I would really like to try out a Piggy CC. They sound great and I have never played a CC. I've played trumpet since I was 7 years old and would like to see how easy it would be to catch onto the CC fingerings since they are very similar to trumpet fingerings but with the bass clef.

My main instruments are trumpets in various sizes and pitches. I found the fingerings are easy on a CC tuba, but only if one is proficient reading bass clef. If you are good with bass clef, you should have no problems playing CC tubas using trumpet fingerings, but the use of valves 4 and 5 will have to be learned.

Ace

Ace wrote:

The Big Ben wrote:I won't be attending this but I would really like to try out a Piggy CC. They sound great and I have never played a CC. I've played trumpet since I was 7 years old and would like to see how easy it would be to catch onto the CC fingerings since they are very similar to trumpet fingerings but with the bass clef.

My main instruments are trumpets in various sizes and pitches. I found the fingerings are easy on a CC tuba, but only if one is proficient reading bass clef. If you are good with bass clef, you should have no problems playing CC tubas using trumpet fingerings, but the use of valves 4 and 5 will have to be learned.

That's kind of what I figured. I've been playing the BBb tuba for a few years but still seem to occasionally mess up the fingerings. I can read the notes off the page accurately but sometimes have a hard time connecting the fingerings to the notes.

thevillagetuba wrote:

Steve Marcus wrote:Cerveny 601 BBb
Melton 197/198
Nirschl 6/4 BBb--both the "American/Martin/York" style and the modified B&F Kaiser style
6/4 Rudi Meinl BBb
--All preferably with 5 factory installed valves

Steve, is there something specific you like about the 197/8 compared to the Fafner? I have no experience with the former but it does seem like a larger version (with a smaller bell) of the 195.

I've only played the Fafner briefly at displays; it certainly does have a beautiful, large tone. American tubists such as Gene Pokorny, Craig Knox, and others have really done justice to this fine instrument (as they have with other 6/4 BBb horns such as the Miraphone Siegfried, the BMB 765, etc.).

But the YouTubes and other recordings of European orchestras in which tubists such as Alexander von Puttkamer have chosen the Melton 197/8 present a tuba sound that has as much warmth and presence as the 6/4 York and models fashioned after it, but with a definition and precision of pitch and sound that would seem to blend well with trombones, rotary trumpets, etc. -- possessing a very audible and pleasant stentorian voice.

It's not that there is any disdain for the more "fluffy American" tuba sound; I like listening to that sound very much and enjoy producing that gratifying sound even more. But the thought is that if one went in to an audition or a performance with a 197/8 or similar "Kaiser-style" tuba with its taller bell, it might make auditors', conductors', fellow players', and audiences' ears "stand up" in a very positive way to a supportive, colorful, yet precise sound that would be currently unique in a North American orchestra.

Thanks for the info, Steve. I will add that to my list as I am intrigued and would like to see if I could get both a Fafner and 197/8 side by side.

Also, the plan so far is to allow people to use the concert hall to test horns (with recordings of the session provided) so that you can make a really good judgement of what horn will best fit them. We are also hoping to have myself, Tom Lukowicz, and maybe a guest artist listening to provide comments on what they liked about you on different models (and what they didn't like about others).

PaulMaybery wrote:I happen to think that some of the newer imports are becoming the subjects of a great deal of curiosity and conversation. Most of these have been developed beyond being simple clones and do offer an alternative to their reference horns. Some are original design such as BMB, some of the newer Wessex, and the Eastman CC.

BMB (Big Mouth Brass)
any or all of their current models, but particularly the BATs, 4/4 CC, and F tuba.

Wessex: "Berg" F tuba
Gnagey Eb front action piston
"Wyvern" 5/4 Piston CC (available later 2016)
Cimbasso.
F contrabass trombone.
BBb contrabass trombone
Valved ophicleide-bombardon (when and if it becomes available)
Bb Ophicleide

Packer: F & CC

Wiseman: 900 5/4 CC

Eastman: CC & BBb

Paul,

I am have been curious about the Wessex F Contrabass Trombone for a few months now. I have no experience in trying this horn personally but I am curious about what your observations are about this horn in that it is different from the normal stock or reference horn. Any information/opinions on this particular horn would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Re: Wessex Contrabass Trombone Both F and BBb.
Sorry, but my reason in listing it is the same as your's, that being curiosity.

I do have their Cimbasso, that is Jin Bao. Very fine instrument.

Arguably there is not much literature for these instruments. But with a little imagination, there are plenty of places to use them.

I use the cimbasso regularly in orchestras. Not just for the Italian repertory, but in pops concert situations where often the tuba really should be a 4th trombone. I've used it in concert/symphonic band to give an edge and different color into the tuba mix. Often, having the other tubas tacet and just use the cimbasso for a lighter effect.

I would imagine that the contra bone could be used similarly.

I've also been featured on the cimbasso as a soloist. This is where it shines. But I did also write my own charts.

An old photo of the US Marine Band, shows a contra in the back row with the tenors and bass trombone. So there is precedent for its use in the American Bands. The Marine Band did have several Italian conductors who would have been familiar with the cimbasso.

The Carribinieri Band of Italy also sports a cimbasso as a bridge between the trombones and tuba. I believe theirs is in BBb.

As these contras are really not that expensive, I would like to see them used more.

Paul (Okay, I stole the thread and digressed, but that is what I do, and arguabley not too badly.) Maybery

PaulMaybery wrote:Re: Wessex Contrabass Trombone Both F and BBb.
Sorry, but my reason in listing it is the same as your's, that being curiosity.

I do have their Cimbasso, that is Jin Bao. Very fine instrument.

Arguably there is not much literature for these instruments. But with a little imagination, there are plenty of places to use them.

I use the cimbasso regularly in orchestras. Not just for the Italian repertory, but in pops concert situations where often the tuba really should be a 4th trombone. I've used it in concert/symphonic band to give an edge and different color into the tuba mix. Often, having the other tubas tacet and just use the cimbasso for a lighter effect.

I would imagine that the contra bone could be used similarly.

I've also been featured on the cimbasso as a soloist. This is where it shines. But I did also write my own charts.

An old photo of the US Marine Band, shows a contra in the back row with the tenors and bass trombone. So there is precedent for its use in the American Bands. The Marine Band did have several Italian conductors who would have been familiar with the cimbasso.

The Carribinieri Band of Italy also sports a cimbasso as a bridge between the trombones and tuba. I believe theirs is in BBb.

As these contras are really not that expensive, I would like to see them used more.

Paul (Okay, I stole the thread and digressed, but that is what I do, and arguabley not too badly.) Maybery

Ah, I see. Misread you post. My apologies. I inferred that you knew that this particular Wessex model was in some way different from the regular stock model but I am clear what you mean now. I will be at the US Army Tuba conference in a few hours and hopefully I can try one of these F Contras! Thanks for you information it was helpful.